Lord have mercy! Today for Indonesians is another day of shame and sorrow, because just this breakfast time this morning, the bombs were exploded in Southern part of Jakarta (in JW Marriot Hotel and Ritz Hotel), about 20-30 minutes drive from here (where I live in campus). Shame, because this will be another 'black notion' and will be the remembrance of our (my) country's impediment struggle against extremist terrorists. Sorrow, because we are weeping for the victims, not only those 6 killed souls in location and many more afterward, but also for our Indonesian souls, and also our humanity universally. Lord have mercy!
This same road in the front of these hotels is the same road which we used to pass through whenever my friend Andy and I drove home after the trip mission accompanying Father Daniel. And certainly after this calamity, I with heartfelt pray for my beloved brothers and sisters, for those who became victims of this shameful human tragedy in this fallen world. And thus, I pray the Psalm of Protection, Psalm 91
1. If you live in the shelter of Elyon
And make your home in the shadow of Shaddai,
2. You can say to Yahweh, “My refuge, my fortress,
My God in whom I trust
3. He rescues you from the snares
Of fowler hoping to destroy you;
4. He covers you with his feathers,
And you find shelter underneath his wings.
5. You need not fear the terrors of night,
The arrow that flies in the daytime,
6. The plague that stalks in the dark,
The scourge that wreaks havoc in broad daylight.
7. Though a thousand fall at your side,
Ten thousand at your right hand,
You yourself will remain unscathed,
With His faithfulness for shield and buckler.
8. You have only to look around
To see how the wicked are repaid,
9. You who can say, “Yahweh my refuge,”
And make Elyon your fortress.
10. No disaster can overtake you,
No plague come near your tent;
11. He will put you in His angels’ charge
To guard you wherever you go.
12. They will support you on their hands
In case you hurt your foot against a stone;
13. You will tread on lion and adder,
Trample on savage lions and dragons.
14. “I rescue all who cling to Me,
I protect whoever knows my name,
15. I answer everyone who invokes Me,
I am with them when they are in trouble;
16. I bring them safety and honor.
I give them life, long and full,
And show then how I can save.”
(Jerusalem Bible)
For those who want to read the news about this, click here (Yahoo) or here (USA today) or here (LA Times).
Lord have mercy!
We thank God that He had protected you! We also hope that nobody dear to you is hurt.
ReplyDeleteMay He guide all your life in truth and light!
Thank you, dear Father Dorin. Glory to God, I and my beloved ones here are safe. However, knowing that this incident can make tensions in my city, I trust to The Lord who is The True Fortress :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, Father. And I also keep praying for beloved Orthodox brothers and sisters in Romania :).
Lord have mercy indeed. I don't believe we in America can imagine living in a religious/political culture in which things like this happen. It makes the challenge of the gospel much more real. May God keep you under His wing.
ReplyDelete