Why do we put so much trust in the American Military?

We are hearing reports and seeing pictures of atrocities committed against innocent Christian children that include public beheading.  Question?  Why do we think that the American Military is the answer?  I ‘happened’ to read this today from Psalms 33 (NLT).

16The best-equipped army cannot save a king,

nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.

17Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—

for all its strength, it cannot save you.

18But the Lord watches over those who fear him,

those who rely on his unfailing love.

19He rescues them from death

and keeps them alive in times of famine.

20We put our hope in the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

As a cancer overcomer, I realize the temptation to put one’s hope in the oncologist, the staff of medical personnel, chemotherapy drugs and one’s health insurance.  I am only suggesting that when problems of great magnitude continue to break upon our lives, that we “put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield”.  This will require a real lean in to “rely” on the Lord’s help.  The Lord’s helper may be the American Military, and it may not.  I would like to rely more heavily on the One who can hurl hailstones onto ISIS, and who also can raise up laborers to preach the gospel to terrorists.

Depression

There are many facets of the causes of depression.  The cure is never as simple as, “put on a happy face”.   There are physical, emotional, mental, societal, relational, spiritual, and even weather related causes.  When a beloved friend, family member or a public figure falls deep into depression we (at least I) do not know what to do for them.  So…just ask.  What can be done for you?  What can I do for you?

Most times the answer has been to just stay close.  To be near with presence.  

Today is a good day to check in with someone whom you know has the struggle of dark thoughts, and dark days.  

Depressed people often cannot articulate what they need, or why they feel so dark, so give lots of grace and freedom while staying close with presence.  I am not a huge fan of alcohol or recreational drug use to lift someone’s spirits.  I am a fan of nature walks or mall walks.

Lord, we pray for the friends and family of Robin Williams, we do not know what it is like to be in their places, and since you do, we ask you for your presence to be very near and close to them.  Help us, be sensitive to anyone that may be dealing with some darkness, and give us your presence within our presence so we can be what we need to be and do what we need to do.

In Jesus name, amen.