“O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”
Psalms 3:1-4 NLT
In my lockdown prayer walks in my community I have met many people. Dog walkers, joggers, cyclists, families out for a stroll and so on. Each with their own purpose, each with their own reasons for being out and about. In fact it is almost impossible to go anywhere without meeting up with someone, even in rural Scotland. According to the latest statistics, the population density in the UK is 723 people per square mile, which, surprisingly to me at least, is much greater than that recorded for China (396 people per square mile). But thankfully the UK society in which we live is one of peace and mutual acceptance, so we rest assured that there are no physical enemies around us, looking for an opportunity to do us harm.
The Psalmist knew he lived in a hostile environment but he was relaxed and secure in his relationship with God. But it was not something he took for granted and he recorded that his cries to God were answered and that the Living God was his shield. In 21st Century Britain we take for granted our physical security, reliant on laws and social cohesion. Even though dysfunctional members of our society will occasionally indulge in antisocial behaviour or worse, it is not the norm. But we must never take for granted our safety and security, physical or otherwise. Thankfully, our loving Heavenly Father is always there for us. Daily I pray for the safety of my wife and family, thanking Him for all He has done for me. Yes, I have encountered problems and challenges in my life, even physical danger, but, with the Psalmist, I can claim that He answered me from His “holy mountain”, bringing me the ultimate security – my relationship with Him.
Being a Pilgrim 