God Is Our Strength

Psalm 118:6--"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"--made me think of the big news story of the last couple days about the pastor in Iran who is to be executed for failing to renounce his Christian faith. What strong faith he has to stand against the Iranian government! But that's the power God's incredible mercy and love has on our lives. It warms our hearts that our Creator, against whom we rebelled, still worked out a plan of salvation for us that involved his own sacrifice--and was victorious. It warms us that God listens to us in our prayers (by the way, in this case it is looking like God may answer the prayers to spare this pastor's life). It warms us to know God is always with us, providing for our needs, working all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Though we are sinful and even in lesser situations often would rather blend in with the world than embrace God fully, God's Spirit guides us to know that it is with him that things are right. And we won't let go no matter what.