To Combat Worry

I desire to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. I will rest in the shadow of the Almighty [El Shaddai]. I will say of the Lord: “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Surely God will save me from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I will find refuge. His faithfulness is my shield and rampart, my buckler wherever I go. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys in sunlight. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because I make the Most High my dwelling place — even the Lord, who is my refuge — no harm will befall me. No disaster will come near my dwelling. For the Lord will command His angels concerning me, to guard me in all my ways. They will lift me up in their hands so I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread upon the lion and the cobra; I will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because [he/she] love Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue [him/her]. I will set [him/her] securely on high, for [he/she] acknowledges My name. [He/She] will call upon Me and I will answer [him/her]. I will be with [him/her] in trouble. I will deliver [him/her] and honor [him/her]. With long life I will satisfy [him/her] and show [him/her] My salvation.” (Psalm 91:1-16)

I do not let my heart be troubled. I trust in God, I trust also in my Lord Jesus (John 14:1). God has put a hedge around me and my family, and my house, and everything I have and all I have inherited through His kindnesses. God blesses the work of my hands because I keep His commandments (Job 1:10). You are abundantly gracious to me, O Lord God, and I do humbly thank You. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every good and upright thing (Psalm 145:16).

I will lift up my eyes beyond the mountains; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made the mountains, the heavens and all the earth. He will not allow my foot to slip; He who keeps me will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps [the old and the new] Israel will never slumber nor sleep. The Lord God is my Keeper. The Lord is my shade on my right hand. The sun will not smite me by day, nor the moon or stars by night. The Lord God will protect me from all evil. He will keep my soul. The Lord will guard my going out and my coming in, both now and forever more. (Psalm 121:1-8) Because I stay at His right hand, I will not be moved!

The peace that surpasses all understanding keeps my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). You keep me in perfect peace, for my mind is steadfast, because I trust in You (Isaiah 26:3). I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8). I will lie down and sleep; I will awake again because the Lord sustains me (Psalm 3:5). Lord God, help me to remember You when I go to bed (Psalm 63:6). Occupy my thoughts through the watched of the night, because when my mind is on You I don’t worry about other things.

I am convinced nothing can separate me from God’s love: death can’t, life can’t; angels and demons can’t; fears for the day, worries about tomorrow… even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away from me. Whether I am high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate me from the love of God that is revealed through Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)

So I will depart from evil and do good; I will seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). I will strive to keep my ways pleasing to the Lord, for then God will make even my enemies to be at peace with me (Proverbs 16:7). I will not repay anyone evil for evil. I will be careful to do what is right. As far as possible as it depends on me, I will live at peace with all men. I will not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath… I will not allow evil to overcome — I will overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Father, when all other things have passed away, three things will remain: faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Help me prioritize my day by the things that will always remain. And, dear Lord God, please help me not to allow the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, or the desires for other things to come in and choke Your Word, making it unfruitful in my life (Mark 4:19).