Psalm 17:6-9

“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.” vss. 8-9

Many of us are very aware of the brokenness of our world, and in these latter days some  have even begun to believe that we’re living in dangerous times. One of the symptoms of that fear has been the increasing sale of guns in our country, with 72 percent of gun owners saying they need their weapons for protection. Evidently they’re anticipating a breakdown in civil society and a corresponding need for personal defense. The psalmist obviously didn’t have access to a Smith & Wesson but instead relied upon God. His words have a poetic quality to them, “Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,” and they sound beautiful to our ears. But we still wonder whether God is a reliable defense when times get really tough. Some doubt that God can protect us from attackers or predators, and even followers of Jesus are thinking of getting their AK-47’s. Such are the times we live in! But there are still those who cast their lot with the psalmist. In their minds guns can never heal the brokenness of humanity or bring in Jesus’ promised Peaceable Kingdom, so they continue to trust God as their refuge and strength. May their number be multiplied!

Thought for the Day: Under what conditions would you shoot someone?