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November 26, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Members of LCMS Congregations, Lay Leaders, Principals, Teachers, All Commissioned Workers and Pastors,
After a night of the worst kind of behavior in Ferguson, beyond what most of us could have imagined, the only one to whom to turn is our heavenly Father. Psalm 91, as do many other Psalms focuses our attention on Him who alone is the answer to all that has happened. God alone has all power, all-knowledge, is always present and is ruler over all.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
The New International Version. 2011 (Ps 91). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Psalm 91 is for Ferguson, North St. Louis County, the peace keepers, Brown family and those who believe looting, burning, and shooting is the answer to all that has happened since this past August. In this case it is fairly obvious taking matters into our own hands does not resolve the issues that trouble us. Instead, all of us need to depend upon God Almighty who promises, ". . . I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." (Ps. 91:14-16 NIV)
You and I are not helpless. Our lives are anchored in Christ. We have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as Disciples of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to become engaged using the gifts His Father has given you:
1. Pray for the political leaders and peace keeping forces. Give them wisdom, proper restraint, protection and genuine concern for all citizens.
In their time of grief and mourning, pray for the Brown family. Ask God to give them peace, comfort and healing.
Pray for the City of Ferguson, especially the many, many long-time residents who have before their very eyes seen their city dramatically change in a matter of weeks. Give them patience, hope, wisdom and peace.
Pray God to bless His powerful Word and those who proclaim it. Ask Him to raise up and strengthen the spiritual leaders of greater St. Louis, but especially North St. Louis County. Ask Him to equip them with His right, good and powerful Word to address the evil that has gripped their community and people.
2. Be slow to speak and even slower to become angry. A gentle word bears much fruit. Become a Gospel voice through your own words and actions. Find ways to support those striving to restore order, enforce the law, minister to the hurting, and provide basic necessities of life to those who are currently finding it difficult to obtain them.
3. Become engaged and supportive of rebuilding the City of Ferguson.
4. Send financial gifts to the Missouri District for the support of the people and needs of Ferguson.
You and I can do much through Him who provides all we need. May God use us to be a blessing! Psalm 91: 2 says, "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
The peace of God which is beyond all understanding keep our hearts and minds in the true faith to life everlasting. AMEN
In The Service of Jesus Christ,
Rev. Dr. Ray G. Mirly
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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