A meditation on forgiveness inspired by Psalm 11.

My soul knows that God is my strong fortress.

Yet when calamity strikes,

my fear says, “Run! Protect yourself!

Build up your bank account so that no one can harm you.

Vote for the right politician, and troubles will disappear.

Hide your imperfections, and people will love and accept you.

Lock your doors

and don’t let a needy person touch you on the street.”

Yet my soul knows that God is my strong fortress.

When my fear says, “Run!”

my God says, “Yes, child, run

straight into my arms.

Let me hide you in a love so strong

that I died a cruel death

to keep you safe with me forever.

As much as you fear the wickedness of the world,

I hate and condemn it.

The justice you long for

I long to give you.

There is no wicked deed I do not see,

no suffering of yours I do not feel.

Run to me, child,

and trust in the safety of my embrace.”

My Lord, my God

is righteous and just.

When calamity strikes like a blazing furnace,

its angry flames will not singe me.

Like Shadrach and Abednego,

I will walk without fear of harm

because my Lord walks with me.

Praise be to the God of my salvation!

Into corrupt and cruel circumstances

he sends a scorching wind to blow away evil

and make room for hope and justice.

He answers the cries of the weak and the needy

and bends near to those who love him.