1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
Lord God! Have mercy!
Have we not all known people, men, women, and children, about whom we have said, “He was a great kid!” “She was a loving wife and mother!” “He was a terrific dad!” … and then … spiritual disaster!
The wicked bent their bows and set their arrows to the strings. They shot from the shadows, the shadows of hearts with tiny fears, flickering doubts, smoldering unforgiveness.
The wicked shot from the shadows and hit the mark, and those we have known and loved as children, cohorts, friends, congregants have fallen and some, unable to rise.
The wicked have arrows, but we have shields and swords. Now we wield them!
“In the Lord I take refuge”, AND FATHER GOD, WE BRING THOSE WE LOVE INTO THE SHELTER OF YOUR SALVATION. WE CAN’T SAVE THEM, BUT YOU CAN!
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.” THIS ONE _______________ AND THAT ONE ______________________ HAVE FLED FROM GRACE AND FROM THE TRUTH OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE. WE BRING THEM IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR PRAYERS. WE LIFT UP OUR VOICES! WE WILL NOT DESERT THEM!
“For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.” THE WICKED LIE IN WAIT ALL DAY AND NIGHT, BUT WE ARE LEARNING TO BE WATCHFUL, JUST AS YOU SAID WE MUST, LORD, AND WE HAVE COMMITTED OUR SOULS TO CARE DEEPLY AND WITH FERVENCY OF INTERCESSION AND PLEADING ON THEIR BEHALF.
SOME SAY, “THEY HAVE A FREE WILL. THEY SHOULD REPENT AND TURN.” WE SAY, IF THEIR WILLS WERE TRULY FREE, THEY WOULD HAVE TURNED ALREADY! SET _______________________ AT LIBERTY TO CONFESS AND REPENT AND RECONSIDER AND RETURN, IN JESUS NAME!! AMEN.
Cave painting, Battle Between Archers, Source, Pacheco, by permission, Wikipedia
Marketplace Monastics 