PSALM 27
(By David.)
A Prayer of Praise

1 You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe.  I am not afraid of anyone.  You protect me, and I have no fears.  2 Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble.  Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall.  3 Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.

4 I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.

5 In times of trouble, you will protect me.  You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.  6 You will let me defeat all of my enemies.  Then I will celebrate, as I enter your tent with animal sacrifices and songs of praise.

7 Please listen when I pray!  Have pity.  Answer my prayer.  8 My heart tells me to pray.  I am eager to see your face, 9 so don't hide from me.  I am your servant, and you have helped me.  Don't turn from me in anger.  You alone keep me safe.  Don't reject or desert me.  10 Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.

11 Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.

12 Don't let them do to me what they want.  People tell lies about me and make terrible threats, 13 but I know I will live to see how kind you are.

14 Trust the LORD!  Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.

PSALM 91
The LORD Is My Fortress

1 Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.  2 Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you."

3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.  4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure.  His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.

5 You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day.  6 And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.

7 You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you.  8 And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.  9 The LORD Most High is your fortress.  Run to him for safety, 10 and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home.

11 God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.  12 They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.  13 You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes.

14 The Lord says, "If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe.  15 When you are in trouble, call out to me.  I will answer and be there to protect and honor you.  16 You will live a long life and see my saving power."

ISAIAH 41:5-13
What Can Idols Do?

6 Worshipers of idols comfort each other, saying, "Don't worry!"  7 Woodcarvers, goldsmiths, and other workers encourage one another and say, "We've done a great job!"  Then they nail the idol down, so it won't fall over.

The LORD's Chosen Servant

8 Israel, you are my servant.  I chose you, the family of my friend Abraham.  9 From far across the earth I brought you here and said, "You are my chosen servant.  I haven't forgotten you."

10 Don't be afraid. I am with you.  Don't tremble with fear.  I am your God.  I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.  11 Everyone who hates you will be terribly disgraced; those who attack will vanish into thin air.  12 You will look around for those brutal enemies, but you won't find them because they will be gone.

13 I am the LORD your God.  I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid.  I am here to help you.

MARK 4:35-41
A Storm
(Matthew 8.23-27; Luke 8.22-25)

35 That evening, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the east side."  36 So they left the crowd, and his disciples started across the lake with him in the boat.  Some other boats followed along.  37 Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink.

38 Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep.  His disciples woke him and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?"

39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.  40 Jesus asked his disciples, "Why were you afraid?  Don't you have any faith?"

41 Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

HEBREWS 13:5-6

5 Don't fall in love with money. Be satisfied with what you have.  The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us. 6 That should make you feel like saying, "The Lord helps me!  Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?"

1 JOHN 4:13-18

13 God has given us his Spirit.  That is how we know that we are one with him, just as he is one with us.  14 God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  We saw his Son and are now telling others about him.  15 God stays one with everyone who openly says that Jesus is the Son of God.  That's how we stay one with God 16 and are sure that God loves us.

God is love.  If we keep on loving others, we will stay one in our hearts with God, and he will stay one with us.  17 If we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won't be worried about the day of judgment.  18 A real love for others will chase those worries away.  The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid.  It shows that we have not really learned to love.