Hiding In Him

Lately it seems like I am surrounded by things that are beyond my control. Loved ones are grieving for senseless tragedies, home mortgages are going belly up, and there is a general feeling of quiet chaos. The snow storms across the country seem to be an allegory for my life right now. Baby, it’s dang cold outside.

I have never lived through a tornado warning so I don’t know what people do when a massive storm like that barrels through a city. From what I understand from watching The Wizard of Oz, the best thing to do is hit the basement and ride the thing out. So that’s what I’ve decided to do. This week I’ve been taking shelter in my basement and I am riding out the storms in my life. On my knees, in my prayer closet and away from falling debris, I am safe from the torrential havoc that is everywhere. I am shutting out the noise so that I can be still before the God that is so much bigger than I can comprehend. I am watching, I am waiting, and I am listening for a sign that it’s ok to come out into the sunlight again.

Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in you; let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on you be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Show me your ways, O Lord;
Teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation;
On you I wait all the day.

Remember O Lord, your tender mercies and your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth,
Nor my transgressions;
According to your mercy remember me,
For your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore he teaches sinners in the way.
The humble he guides in justice,
And the humble he teaches his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall he teach in the way he chooses.
He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants
Shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him,
And he will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Keep my soul, and deliever me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.