Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. (Psalm 143: 7-10)

The psalms assigned for today abound with enemies. One of the more common Hebrew words for enemy is tsar. This is an enemy that constrains us, narrows us, puts us in a tight place.

We turn to God to be unbound.

Each of us have our own righteousness: the unique identity that we share with God. Each of us are meant to be a particular expression of God. Our enemies would constrain or destroy this righteousness.

Creative freedom is the way of ultimate reality.

The will of God is that each of us may find our original strength, purpose, and capacity for love. These are the foundations of what is truly real. We cannot be denied these gifts without our own connivance.

But we often need God's help to avoid surrendering to our enemies.

Above is Persephone by Thomas Hart Benton.