Lord God, deliver [me] from [my] foes ...

2 Kings 17:5-18

 
In reality, we have many foes that attempt to compromise our well-being, and even our lives - wild weather, ‘polluted’ people, and societal sink holes like addictions or racism, to name a few. But perhaps the greatest foes we face are the same ones that the Israelites faced when anticipating invasions from other groups, the inner foes of fear, grief and rage. The Lord urged the Israelites to ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments.’ When I turn my gaze away from my foes, and focus on face of Christ, and the ways of the Lord, then I can trust him to extend his mercy to me and my circumstances. What foes am I noticing in my life today? Is my gaze fixed on my enemies or on my deliverer?  Lord God, deliver me from my foes, deliver my children from their foes, deliver our society from our common foes.   
 
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)
 
I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Soli gloriam dei .