Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
will not live out half their days.
But as for me, I trust in you.
(Psalm 55:22-23 NIV)
“The Last Battle” from the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis is a child’s eye view of the End of the World, but filled with hope and God’s protection over his beloved. In the middle of the book the AntiChrist character and his lackeys (Calormenes) have set up camp around a shed in the woods. The last, true King of Narnia, Tirian, and his followers are hiding around the camp, preparing for battle. The bad guys have called down their god “Tash” who they say is equal to Aslan [Christ] but who they really don’t believe in. In preparation for the battle to come, we read this:
Tirian bent his head to hear something that Jill was trying to whisper in his ear. “What do you think is really inside the stable?” she said. “Who knows?” said Tirian. “Two Calormenes with drawn swords, as likely as not, one on each side of the door.” “You don’t think,” said Jill, “it might be . . . you know . . . that horrid thing we saw?” “Tash himself?” whispered Tirian. “There’s no knowing. But courage, child: we are all between the paws of the true Aslan.” (http://www.mylibrarybook.com/books/673/C.S-Lewis/The-Last-Battle-6.html)
I don’t know about you, but it seems like there is plenty of uncertainty, pain, and angst swirling around us right now. Each of us probably has different definitions of what our own “angst” may be, but whatever that is, hear again these words: “Child, we are all between the paws of the true Christ.” We are each held in the palms of God’s hands. We are each sheltered under God’s wings. We are each known securely by a loving Father.
“You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you’re perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm. “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” (From Ps. 91 MSG)
God, you are our refuge and we trust in you for our safety. Thank you for rescuing us from traps, shielding us from hazards, fending off harm. Thank you for protection against all the angst of this life. Help us call out to you and hear your answer. Help us hold on to you for life – spiritual, emotional, professional, financial, relational, etc. – and know your loving care. Give us the gift of long life lived with you and the abundance of peace in our salvation and friendship with you. Thank you for holding us in your arms, protecting us under your wings, and loving us so much you go to the cross for us. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.