How To Prevent Being Startled

Yesterday at 5AM, I left my house and headed to the Perkiomen Trail for a 6 mile run.  It was a little dark (as it typically is at this time of the morning) as I headed down my street to get to the trail which is exactly a half mile from my garage door.  I was listening to the Daily Audio Bible podcast while I was getting into the rhythm of my run.  Halfway down my street I was in the zone when I suddenly heard a rustling in the brush just 6 feet from the road.  The sudden sound startled me.

Looking to my left, I quickly saw the source of the sound – a deer.  The deer quickly turned to run into the brush as I continued down the street toward the trail.  I think the deer was just as startled as I.

Spending many early, dark mornings on the trail, I’ve become accustomed to creatures crossing my path.  So I’m typically prepared for such a startle as I experienced yesterday.  My eyes adjust to the breaking dawn, my ears listen to the sounds around me, and my steps shorten just a bit to make sure I land safely.  I run prepared even in the dark.

The Bible talks about the importance of being prepared.  In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus tells us to keep watch because no one knows the hour when Christ will return.  In I Peter 3:15, Peter reminds us to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we profess.  And in 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul reminds us to be prepared to rebuke, correct, and encourage with patience and careful instruction.

So how can we prevent being startled?  How can we prepare ourselves?

Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Being Startled:

1. Read God’s Word.  When we read and know God’s Word, we will be better prepared to understand and share God’s Word.
2. Share God’s Word.  In words and in actions, we prepare ourselves by practicing the teaching found in God’s Word.
3. Pray for wisdom and confidence.  Let’s face it.  We won’t have all the answers on our own.  We need to look to God for wisdom.  And we need to remember to have confidence in God and His protective hand.
4. Be alert.  We must be looking for opportunities to share and to practice.  We must also be aware of distractions that pull us away from God and His plan for our lives.
5. Trust God.  We cannot predict the future.  There will be hard things and scary things that come across our paths.  We must remember that God will keep us safe, and He will work through the challenges of life.  We’re not guaranteed an easy life, but we can trust that God will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

And so this morning, I hit the trails again.  I don’t know what will come my way, but I’m ready!

When was the last time you were startled?  What could you add to the list above?

3 Ways To Set Appropriate Boundaries In Our Lives

Last year, our family worked together to fence in our garden.  We used 34 fence posts, 150 feet of fencing, and some fishing line.  We’ve had a garden for many years, but the last several years have been a bit frustrating as we’ve had to defend against groundhogs and deer.  We’ve tried a few other remedies like deer repellant, have-a-heart traps, and hair clippings.  But we’ve still dealt with produce that has been mowed down in the middle of the night by the animals that live in our area.

So far, the fence seems to be working.  This year, we’ve enjoyed lettuce, turnips, radishes, asparagus, peas, spinach, and strawberries.  And it won’t be long until we enjoy many of the other things we planted this year.

We live in a time when people tout the benefits of living beyond our dreams and our boundaries.  I’ve even written a few blog posts about the benefits of stretching outside our comfort zone.  But there’s another side of the equation that needs to be looked at from time to time.  Fences are important tools in our lives.  We need fences in our lives to keep out the “critters” that can damage our lives.   We need fences in our lives to keep us from journeying into unsafe territory.  And sometimes we need fences in our lives to remind us what things are our business and what things are not our business.  With this in mind, here are a few ideas for establishing appropriate fences in our lives.

3 Ways To Set Appropriate Fences In Our Lives:

1.)  Set personal boundaries.  We need to be smart enough and bold enough to set up our own fences.  For example, Leanne and I have a “rule” that we will avoid meeting alone with members of the opposite gender.  Rules or boundaries like this keep us from journeying into unsafe territory.

2.)  Find accountability.  Is there someone in your life (other than your spouse) who knows the true condition of your heart.  Someone like this will ask the tough questions and will also give us early warning signs when our fences need repair.

3.)  Spend time in God’s Word and in Christian community.  These actions keep us growing and alert to God’s business.  When we know God’s Word and experience this type of community, our fence is used more effectively.  Our fenced in area becomes a refuge and a safe house where we can be restored and re-energized for service to those outside the fence.

What are the pluses and minuses of having a fence?  Do you have a fence around your yard?  How do you keep the “critters” out?

OKC Tornadoes – 5 Ways to Deal with Life Halting Experiences

This has been a traumatic week for many in the center of our country as they’ve been faced with the reality of tornadoes that literally ripped through their lives destroying homes, schools, businesses, cars, trees, and lives.  Honestly, it is difficult to fully imagine the pain, anguish, and loss that so many in Oklahoma must be feeling this week.

My parents are finishing up an assignment at a church in Midwest City, Oklahoma which is just north of Moore, Oklahoma is located.  I talked to my Dad the other night, and he described the destruction as devastating and like nothing else he had previously experienced.  It was obvious in our conversation that the tornadoes had brought life in their area to a screeching halt.

Imagine driving your car at 65 miles an hour and it suddenly stops completely.  Or imagine riding your bicycle at 15 miles an hour when someone jams a stick in your spokes.

This is how I imagine it must have felt for so many when the tornadoes came and interrupted their lives.

Sometimes life is like this.  We are coasting along when something happens in our lives that brings things to a screeching halt.  It’s happened in my life a few times – like the time I crashed my car two weeks before my wedding, like when my wife was rushed to the hospital shortly after our son was born, and like the moment I learned that my grandfather had passed away six years ago.

I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a few things through life halting events.  Here are 5 Ways to Deal with Life Halting Experiences:

1. Hang on.  Sometimes this is all we can do.  When we don’t understand, when we don’t know the plan, we can trust God and hang on to His hand.  I remember asking during these times, “Why?”  Even in the toughest moments, we must remember that He will never leave us.
   

   “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5

2. Trust God.  In times like this, I’ve gone back to Proverbs 3:5-6 as a promise that God will make my paths straight even when life doesn’t make sense.
   

   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Lean into family and friends.  I can’t tell you how much family and friends have meant to our family when life’s train seems to have derailed.  It helps to know that someone is praying for me, is willing to talk or listen as I wrestle through the challenges of life, and is willing to be there when I can’t fully focus on my daily needs.  If you’re missing this in your own life, I’d encourage and challenge you to seek out this kind of friendship.  Our church small group experience has provided many of these types of friendships.
4. Consider a change.  Sometimes a life stopping experience can be the catalyst to positive change in our lives.  I have no idea what this means for victims of the tornadoes.  Maybe these experiences are a call to change direction.
   

   “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19

5. Learn and grow.  Life halting experiences can be life altering experiences if we take time to learn and grow.  This is why I recommend a journal or even a blog as a way to record life’s happenings.  I have learned so much through the major speed bumps of life and the blog and my journal have become great places to record and process these experiences.

For those directly impacted by this week’s events in Oklahoma recovery will be tough.  I can’t begin to imagine what these residents are going through.  To many, my thoughts will seem shallow.  It’s not my intent to belittle what those in Oklahoma have experienced.  I simply mean to point out a few things I’ve learned from life halting experiences of my own.  This I know, we can certainly pray for the victims and more importantly find ways to help out.

What have you learned from a life stopping experience?  What other tips do you have for handling these kinds of times?

The Impossible

Over the weekend, our family sat down together to watch a movie.  There are times when it seems like we are running so quickly from one event or activity to the next.  It was so nice just to be still together in our own home for a couple of hours.  Leanne and Isaac picked out the movie from one of our local Redbox kiosks.  It seems like I am more and more out of the loop on the whole movie scene, so it’s no surprise that I had never heard of the movie they picked out – The Impossible.

The movie portrays the true story of a family caught in the ravages of a large tsunami that hit southeast Asia in 2004.  They family who is vacationing along the coast is separated and swept away when the giant wave decimates the resort where they were staying.  (Spoiler alert!)  Most of the movie is spent telling the story of their search for one another and of their eventual reunion.

Most of the movie is pretty graphic as it shows the tsunami along with the injuries that occurred as a result.  When Leanne told me what the movie was about, I was honestly not sure I wanted to see it.  Who wants to watch destruction?

I’m glad I stuck around to the end.  The movie was pretty powerful.  In fact, there were a couple of moments that brought tears to my eyes.  Along with the tears, the movie brought a few thoughts to my head that have been rolling around for a few days.

• Our God would go to any lengths to connect with us.  In the movie, the father (played by Ewan McGregor) goes on a mission to find his oldest son and his wife.  He is determined to find them even if it meant leaving his two smaller children with strangers for a period of time.  As I thought about this aspect of the movie, I kept thinking about Jesus story of The Lost Sheep – the fact that he would leave the 99 sheep in order to find the one lost sheep.  Indeed, this is what our Father did when He sent His Son for us.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16
• We play a role in helping people connect to their Father.  In the movie, Lucas (the oldest son) starts collecting the names of separated family members from complete strangers in the hospital.  He then walks through the entire hospital trying to find people to go with the names.  At one point, he finds a boy who goes with a father he had met earlier.  Their reunion is beautiful amidst the chaos and calamity of the hospital.  As Christ followers, we have a mission to help others connect to their Father.  This is not a mission to be taken lightly.  It’s urgent.  This is why we need to make the most of every opportunity.  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:2-6
• We’re called to help the least of these – the widows and the orphans.  In the movie, Lucas and his mother (played by Naomi Watts) are trying to get to higher ground when they hear the voice of a child screaming out for help.  They are in a tough situation themselves desperate for help when they make a decision to go help this little boy.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-46 that whenever we help the least of these, we are actually helping Him.  As I processed this part of the story, I kept going back to this verse in James:  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:27

The circumstances of life can sometimes seem impossible.  We face trials of many kinds, and we can easily get caught up in our tunnel-visioned, self-focused reality.  It’s important to remember that we have a Father who loves us through thick and thin.  And it’s important to live our lives in a way that honors Him.  Believe it or not, The Impossible reminded me of this.

What are you facing today that is IMPOSSIBLE?  How does it help to know that there is a God who relentlessly pursues you?

Track & Field: 4 Lessons From The Hurdles

On Tuesday, I talked about four lessons from the starting blocks.  Today, I continue a new track and field series with four lessons from the hurdles.  This year, Isaac ran the hurdles.  It was fun watching him learn the ropes of the hurdles, and it will be interesting to see what happens as his track career continues.  At the high school level, one of Hannah’s track teammates is one of the best hurdlers in the state of Pennsylvania.  It was amazing to watch him compete in the hurdles at each meet.  There was a grace and elegance to the way he approached each hurdle.  He relentlessly attacked each hurdles until he reached the finish line victorious in each of the races I saw.

With that in mind, I’d like to suggest four things we can learn from the hurdles.

1. Hurdles happen.  In the 110 meter hurdles, men have to jump over 42 inch hurdles.  When a runner leaves the starting block, he knows that there will be a hurdle.  Life is full of hurdles.  You and I will face hurdles.  We are not promised a clear path to the finish line.  As a matter of fact, hurdles add challenge to the race of life that could otherwise be flat and boring.  A true hurdler embraces the trial that each hurdle represents.  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4
2. It’s all about rhythm.  A hurdler learns to take the same number of steps between each hurdle.  It’s almost as though, he could run the race blindfolded.  Developing regular disciplines and routines can be helpful as we face the trials and challenges of life.  Spending time in God’s Word on a regular basis, praying, and spending time with other believers can be so beneficial in helping us when the challenges come.  The prophet Isaiah writes about the importance of seeking God regularly in the morning:  All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.  For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.  Isaiah 26:9
3. There will be another hurdle.  In the 110 meter hurdles, there are actually ten hurdles.  A runner gets over a hurdle, and there’s the promise of another hurdle.  In life it’s the same, we typically face more than one hurdle in life.  The cool thing is that God can use each and every hurdle we face for good.  The apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28
4. Keep going.  A hurdler cannot stop between hurdles.  He has to keep going.  When life seems too challenging, we need to rely on the strength of God.  Don’t give up.  Know that there is hope.  It starts with the next step.  One step at a time.  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31

What lessons could you add to the list above?  What hurdles have you faced in life?  What have you learned through these challenges?

Track & Field: 4 Lessons From The Starting Blocks

Both of my kids are finishing up their spring track and field season.  Hannah is running in her first year of high school where she is competing in the 800, the 1600, the 4×400 relay, and the 4×800 relay.  And Isaac is running in his first year of middle school track where he is competing in the long jump, the hurdles, and the 200.

It has been such a blast to be a parent during these past couple of months.  I love the opportunity to go to their meets, to cheer them on, and to observe all the different events that seem to be happening at once.

I ran one season of winter track and a season of spring track when I was in high school.  In both cases I ran the longer distances.  I never had the opportunity or need to use starting blocks as they are typically used for the shorter sprint races like the 100, the 200, and the 400.

It’s been interesting to observe the sprinters as they prepare for their races.  They setup their starting blocks just right, so they’re ready for the race.  They jump up and down and do a couple of quick trials to practice accelerating out of their blocks.  They listen intently to the instructions of the starter.  They get ready.  They get set.  And they listen for the sound of the starting gun.  They are completely still.   And they’re alert.  All this happens before the race even starts.

I think we can learn a lot from the starting blocks.  Here are 4 thoughts or lessons that come to my mind:

1. Prepare.  A runner doesn’t typically step up to the starting line without preparing.  They practice for hours to get ready for this moment.  Then they put on the right clothes and tie their shoes just right.  They warm up.  And they make sure everything is set up just right.  In life, we have the opportunity to prepare for the race that we are running by putting on the full armor of God.  In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us an idea of what this looks like:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  Ephesians 6:10-20

2. Listen.  It is essential for a runner to listen to the instructions of the starter.  The starter gives the runner specific information that helps the runner start the race and run the race successfully.  Failure to follow these instructions can result in disqualification from the race.  Similarly, we must listen to our Instructor – God and His Word.  The Bible gives us clear instructions for how we should live our lives.  It’s important that we follow God’s voice – his instructions – so we are not disqualified.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27-30
3. Be Still.  When a sprinter finally settles into his or her starting blocks.  They have to be completely still.  If they are talking or moving, they will distract other runners, they won’t be ready for the starting gun, and they will be disqualified from the race.  In the race of life, we need to be still.  We get moving at such a high rate of speed as we move from one activity to the next and from one thought to the next.  We miss out on the glory of the presence of God because we are too preoccupied with ourselves.  Before we run the race of life, we need to know who is in charge.  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10
4. Be Alert.  A runner is alert and ready to go at any moment.  They are ready to bounce like a cheetah as soon as they hear the noise of the starting gun.  They don’t know exactly when the gun will sound, but they are ready.  In the race of life, we are called to be alert and to be ready at all times.  We are called to be prepared in season and out of season, and we are called to make the most of each and every opportunity.  Jesus reminds us in Mark 13, that we need to be alert at all times:  “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”  Mark 13:33

That’s all I’ve got.  Time to head out for my morning run!

What else can you add to this list?  When was the last time you ran a race?  How did you get ready for the race?

The Cone Of Shame

Last night, I picked up our dog (Iso) from the vet hospital.  Iso spent a few days for surgery after he ate one of my dress shirts, a dish towel, and some other things.  When I picked him up, I was given a list of instructions and medicines required following his treatment.  I was also given an Elizabethan Collar which is supposed to keep him from licking his wounds.  The E-Collar kind of looks like a plastic lamp shade that goes around his neck.  If you’ve seen the movie Up, it’s also called the Cone of Shame.  It’s as if Iso has been given a Scarlet Letter to tell everyone that he was the knucklehead who decided to eat shirts and towels and other non-food items.

People aren’t given a Cone of Shame when they do something wrong, but we sometimes where the marks of our transgressions.  I have a scar on my leg which tells the story of me wearing shorts on a job site where I was helping to build a house in high school.  Scars and other misstep indicators come in many shapes and sizes.  Sometimes the marks of our mistakes aren’t visible, but they are enforced by people around us.  In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, we see this lived out in the story of Hester Prynne.  In the story, she conceives a child through an adultery and is forced to wear a red “A” on her shirt, so people will know that she committed adultery.  The red “A” is kind of like a Cone of Shame – it’s embarrassing, it amplifies our failings, and it makes it challenging to live a normal life.

I don’t know what you’ve done in the past.  I’m sure you’ve screwed up somewhere in the past.  I know I’ve messed up more than I care to admit.  Why are you wearing your Cone of Shame?  Do you know that you can find freedom and forgiveness from your past?

In Romans 8:1-2, Paul reminds us that Jesus came to take away our Cone of Shame.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Sure we have to deal with the consequences of our sin here on earth.  But there is incredible good news for those who follow Jesus.  He came to take away the guilt and shame of our past.  He came for you and me.  He came to set us free from the Cone of Shame.

How does this change things for you? 

In Response To Boston – God Weeps Too

Yesterday was an extremely busy day at work.  I was running from meeting to meeting with little time to check e-mails or to catch the normal office rumblings when I made it back to my desk just in time to pick up a phone call from my Aunt Elaine.

Honestly, I was somewhat concerned that she might have bad news about my Grandma.  After all, she just turned 93 two weeks ago, and her health hasn’t been great the last few years.  As I picked up the phone, I could sense a relief in my aunt’s voice as she heard me say hello.  She had just received a phone call from my cousin, Jane, who was concerned that I might have been in Boston with my family running the Boston Marathon.  (For those who may not know, this isn’t completely out of the question.  I’ve run three marathon; however, qualifying for Boston isn’t in my near future.  Marathon runners will understand what I mean by this).  My aunt went on to explain that there had been bombs going off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon and many were hurt or killed.

The race clock shown in this picture would have put me somewhere around the finish line when the bombs hit. I finished two of my marathons right at 4 hours.

After reassuring her that I was okay, I quickly clicked onto CNN.com to see what was going on.  Sure enough, breaking news was just being reported about the bombs in Boston.

A couple of hours later on my ride home, I turned the news on to listen to the reports of what was transpiring in Boston just blocks from where I stayed in November.  I heard voices and stories of despair and bewilderment.  How could someone (or someone’s) do something so evil?  How could this happen to so many innocent runners and bystanders?  It makes no sense.

It’s nature to question God at times like this.  In the midst of tragedy, personal loss, and senseless violence, we want an answer and we want to know that God is there.  As I was processing yesterday’s Boston tragedy, I was drawn to the words of God Weeps Too, a song by Eli.

God weeps too,
 God weeps too,
 Though we question Him for all that we go through,
 Still it helps me believe
 And my pain it does relieve
 when I think that God weeps too.

I have to believe that God weeps over tragedies like Boston.  We will question.  We will get confused.  We will cry.  We will experience pain.  We must remember that God weeps too.  His heart breaks over tragedy, violence, and injustice.

May our hearts break for the things that break the heart of God.

What breaks your heart?  When was the last time you wept out of tragedy or despair?  What has you questioning God these days?

Hit The Brakes – Pay Attention To The Here And Now

The other night, Leanne and I were in Philadelphia for dinner and a play.  As subscribers to a local theater in which we see five shows a year, we’ve grown accustomed to driving into the city and parking in the same parking garage which is convenient to the theater and many area restaurants.  The traffic in the city was busy as usual.  As we approached the parking garage, I turned my left-turn signal on and prepared to enter the garage.  Just as it appeared that the path was clear, Leanne yelled “Stop!” as a white car sped through the intersection of the cross street next to the garage.

Thankfully, I was able to step on the brakes before our cars collided.  I’m sure the white car was going too fast, but I quickly realized that I had failed to see a red light in my direction as I was looking past it to the garage entrance.

This near calamity got me thinking (of course).

Obviously, I was very thankful for God’s hedge of protection on us which kept us safe.

Secondly, it’s important for us to be aware of our surroundings.  We can easily be caught up in looking down the road towards our ultimate goal or vision.  It’s important to have vision for the future, but we must also be aware of our present circumstances.  There are things happening all around us that deserve and need our attention.  Maybe it’s a red light telling us to stop for a minute.  But maybe it’s another signal that could impact the achievement of our goal.  Perhaps, you need to have a conversation with a fellow employee in the hall or in the lunch room today.  You could easily let the conversation opportunity pass as you head to your next meeting, or you could take a few minutes to find out how your co-worker is really doing.

I often get tunnel vision.  Thankfully, I’m a fairly safe driver.  But I tend to lock in on my target and miss out on the world happening all around me.

The near collision on Saturday night was a timely reminder to broaden my perspective and to pay attention to the details happening all around me on the way.

Do you struggle with tunnel vision?  What is one thing you can do today to be more aware of the things and the people around you?

You’re My Only Hope

In the original Star Wars movie which is now considered Episode 4, Princess Leia sends a message to Obi-Wan Kenobi (via R2-D2) saying, “Help me Obi-Wan.  You’re my only hope.”

Hope is an interesting concept that is so often understated and misrepresented in today’s world.

I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.  I hope the Phillies win the World Series.  I hope you have a good day.  It’s good to have hopes and dreams.

Over four years ago, Barack Obama ran for president on a platform of hope and change, and many looked to him as the hope for something different and better in their lives.  He may have brought a hope to many people, be he and all other leaders will ultimately fall short when it comes to bringing about a true and lasting hope.

In Psalm 62, we hear of the one true Hope worth following and pursuing:

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.^[b]

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God^[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.