GOD'S ASSURANCE

Psalm 23 (NRSV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff--they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.

_________________________

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
- Psalm 27:14 (NRSV)
_________________________


MY son attends a university in Montevideo, 120 miles away from our home. We stay in touch using our cell phones. I send him a text message; my son responds, indicating, "Hello. I'm off to work," or, "Good night."

One morning, I did not receive a response from my son after repeatedly sending a signal. Where can he be? I wondered. My anxiety grew as I began to worry if something had happened to him.

From deep within my heart, the words of Psalm 23:4 came to me, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me."

The words of the psalm served as a message from God, and my anxiety faded. God's touch made me aware of the Holy Spirit. I knew that God was near, reassuring me. Being aware of God's love was sufficient for me and filled me with peace.

I was not surprised when my son called and calmly told me that he had sought medical treatment for severe kidney pain and called me after he felt better. His words confirmed what I already knew: He was not alone. God had put the right people at his side to help him through the crisis.

Prayer: Gracious God, help us always to remember, with grateful hearts, your presence in our lives. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Words of scripture stored in our hearts can be our strength in unsettling times.

-- Gloria Belen (Durazno, Uruguay)

PRAYER FOCUS: Anxious mothers