Psalm 91 Complete Jewish Bible
91 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it won’t come near you.
8 Only keep your eyes open,
and you will see how the wicked are punished.
9 For you have made Adonai, the Most High,
who is my refuge, your dwelling-place.
10 No disaster will happen to you,
no calamity will come near your tent;
11 for he will order his angels to care for you
and guard you wherever you go.
12 They will carry you in their hands,
so that you won’t trip on a stone.
13 You will tread down lions and snakes,
young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
The news and images emerging from the fires in California are hard to believe.
Skies have turned red, filled with hug clouds of smoke over cities and counties as Santa Anna winds 80-100 mph is fueling multiple wildfires across the state.
As the governor declares a state of emergency, families are evacuating to escape the flames, knowing they may never see their homes again. 10000 ++ structures have already burned down Livelihoods, businesses are being lost as firefighters and first responders do everything in their power to stop the spread of the fires.
At least 12 individuals have been killed with more to be accounted for as Cadaver dogs are brought in to begin their gruesome work as a dark result of these fires, while 200,000 citizens are without power and 180,000 have evacuated the area.
Approximately 35,000 acres have burned thus far and several of these fires are barely considered even “10% contained – one is not contained. These numbers will doubtless go up as these 75000 brave first responders are actively working to contain the fires and prevent them from spreading to more neighborhoods.
As you follow the news, we can do relatively little but continually lift up these in prayers for the state of California, for the first responders with their lives on the lines, for the recovery, for the victims experiencing such trauma, sudden loss.
Suffering after a disaster can seem isolating, lonely, traumatic seeing that many, even in our own communities, may not comprehend, understand what they are experiencing there. With this feeling can come a sense of hopelessness.
While feeling distraught, Psalm 34:8 reminds us where to find hope, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Gratefully, God is very present in our situations, riding out the storms with us and being there for us afterward.
As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 describes, we have a God who understands and is compassionate towards us in our suffering:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
God understands our suffering beyond what we can comprehend.
He walks side by side with us through it with us and brings us out on the other side stronger.
Psalm 23:4 Complete Jewish Bible
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster; for you are with me;
your rod and staff reassure me.
Isaiah 43:1-2 Complete Jewish Bible
43 But now this is what Adonai says,
he who created you, Ya‘akov,
he who formed you, Isra’el:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I am calling you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through water, I will be with you;
when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —
the flame will not burn you.
1 Peter 5:10 further explains,
“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Even more so, He loves us through each and every distress, not letting anything come between us during these hardcore difficult, traumatic times. He does not leave us in our suffering, going through it alone or figuring it out on our own.
As the Apostle Paul spells out clearly in Romans 8:39-40,
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Likewise, afterward, even in the worst situations,
God assures us:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
For those who are presently experiencing, who have experienced disasters, the recovery time afterward can be hardcore excruciating, yet God urges in Psalm 27:14 to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
But waiting to see God’s goodness after a disaster can seem endless at times.
Still, He wants us to cling to the promise of His everlasting hope that He alone gives, looking for and expecting His goodness, His Shalom, again in our lives.
Isaiah 25:9 Complete Jewish Bible
9 On that day they will say,
“See! This is our God!
We waited for him to save us.
This is Adonai ; we put our hope in him.
We are full of joy, so glad he saved us!”
Although it may take us a while to tune in and hear those crickets and the birds singing and see the sun shining again, we can move ahead, even if it’s with the very tiniest of tiny baby steps, looking to see His goodness in the coming days.
After disasters, there is the hope and promise that God’s goodness will come again and follows us through this life.
As Psalm 23:6 assures, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
For many, there will be a time of looking back after walking through the tragic events which often brings a hard fought answer to your prayers for clarity, and pleas for the Shalom of Shalom’s where they are able to see more clearly God’s faithfulness and goodness, even though at those times they may have felt there was none to be found among the great mountains of ash and burned buildings.
In these moments of everyday revelation, there will certainly, and faithfully be a divine display, miraculous abundant revelations of His divinely orchestrated “aha” moments where Psalm 116:12 rings true for them: “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?”
Psalm 116:12-14 Complete Jewish Bible
12 How can I repay Adonai
for all his generous dealings with me?
13 I will raise the cup of salvation
and call on the name of Adonai.
14 I will pay my vows to Adonai
in the presence of all his people.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Father, we come to You with heavy hearts as wildfires rage and devastation spreads. We know that You are sovereign over all things, and we trust in Your wisdom even in the midst of chaos. Lord, we pray for the leadership across affected areas to make the best possible decisions for the safety and welfare of communities. Guide their steps with wisdom and urgency as they navigate these challenging circumstances, and may they look to You for strength and clarity.
Father, we lift up the firefighters, first responders, and all those risking their lives to protect others. Cover them with Your protection, give them endurance, and guide their efforts. May their bravery and selflessness reflect Your love and care in the face of such terrifying destruction.
We pray for the communities impacted by these fires—families who have lost homes, businesses, and loved ones. Comfort them in their grief and provide for their immediate needs. Stir up a spirit of unity and compassion among neighbors, that they may support and uplift one another. Protect the most vulnerable and provide shelter, safety, and peace amidst the fear and uncertainty.
Lord, we ask for Your Spirit to pour out over the land, calming the winds and rains, and bringing relief to the fires. May You be recognized and trusted even in this time of tragedy. Remind us of Your goodness and faithfulness, even when it feels hard to see.
God, we pray for peace to overcome fear, and faith to rise above despair. May those nearest to the danger feel Your presence and guiding hand. Let the hope and strength that only come from Your Son, Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit, bring comfort and assurance in the face of devastation.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 46 New American Standard Bible
God, the Refuge of His People.
For the music director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, [a]set to Alamoth. A Song.
46 God is our refuge and strength,
A [b]very ready help in [c]trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes
And the mountains slip into the heart of the [d]sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her [e]when morning dawns.
6 The [f]nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He [g]raised His voice, the earth quaked.
7 The Lord of armies is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
[h]Who has inflicted horrific events on the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “[i]Stop striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the [j]nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”
11 The Lord of armies is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 