February 24th - Reflection

Reading
Psalm 17 (NRSV)
Prayer for protection from evil ones

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.

If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me, hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
They track me down; now they surround me;
they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.
They are like a lion eager to tear,
like a young lion lurking in ambush.

Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,
from mortals -- by your hand, O Lord --
from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;
may their children have more than enough;
may they leave something over to their little ones.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.


Reflection
Oh, how I need God to watch over me and protect me. How I need God's angels to guard me from the evil and the dangers that I seem to get into. How I need a Savior to protect me from myself. I can't do this on my own. I can't go free from sin. I am tempted and fall to the temptation. I sin and need help from God.

And God helps! God comes to my rescue. Sure, I still feel the pain and shame of my sin. Sure, I still see and know of the consequence of my sin. But God helps! God comes to me and saves me from my sinful self, evil, death and sin.

God gives life. And I awake from my sin and am satisfied and joyful at the face of God. I see the face of my Savior and give eternal thanks. Oh, how I need God to watch over me and protect me. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, send your Holy Angels to watch over me this day so the evil one may have no power over me. --- Amen