A Psalm for Myanmar

I don’t know about you, but daily I am assailed by the reality of the torrent of everything happening in the world today-especially the horrendous actions of the military junta in Myanmar resulting in daily death, kidnapping, displacement, torture and rape of innocents throughout the country and now the intentional genocide of various ethnic groups through the denying of simple medical care, supplies and food during the rampant spread of Covid. Each morning I awake to text messages of new atrocities sent from people we have loved and served alongside over the years, today being no different. A Bible woman we have known for 20 years living in one of the most affected areas and who has cared for her mother and grandmother for such a longtime wrote today, “mom, grandma and I am also sick and I have to take care day and night feeding them and making things for them all the time.12 family members [in the house] and only 2 not sick. Only God can save us.”

Through these months, I have been driven to my knees in tears and prayer and to searching the scriptures. I have been looking for promises to encourage myself and others, for verses about the Lord fighting for us, winning the battle and so on. There are of course many to be found recounting victory and, though rehearsing them through reading really stiffens one’s resolve that God not only has the plan and purpose and we can trust, none seemed to be exactly speaking to this time and situation. And then, today, I read Psalm 27. And there He was, our great Lord, stirring my thoughts and directing me just how to pray for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar-that they would be filled with the Spirit and rest in the peace and sanctuary of the Lord even in the middle of the battle. That they would be protected from fear and doubt. That, even though some would be like Stephen as he beheld Heaven on his final day and some would be like Peter, rescued to serve on earth again, both would be perfected in His beauty and stirred to faith and confidence. To stand.

Psalm 27
A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
    Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
    Do not reject your servant in anger.
    You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
    O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.
11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
    For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
    with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
(NLT)