The psalmist declares, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust, I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me?” [1] The psalmist is talking about people and their attempts to attack him. He writes earlier, “Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me.”[2] But, I thought of this declaration and the question that follows in terms of our own flesh.

What can the flesh, its sickness and disease do to us who are much more than flesh? What can the flesh that is categorized and boxed up do to who we deeply and truly are? What can these oppressions of flesh change of the internal reality that is we? What of the flesh, the social construct of race, the social coloring of skin, what can these things do to me?

If we put our trust in God, not just on our money, then what can prejudice and stereotypes do to change us? If we, in deed, praise the Word of God and not the words of the flesh, then we should not be afraid. We should not be afraid of what race says about us or any one else. We should trust what the Word of God says about our neighbor, the stranger and the immigrant. Welcome. Give. Love.

Because if we are all spirit, then really what can flesh do to you anyway?

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[1] Psalm 56.4, NRSV

[2] Psalm 56.1, NRSV