Saved out of all our Troubles
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Psalm 34:1-7
1.I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. 3. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
It’s not easy to “bless the Lord at all times!” In fact, just the opposite is more often the case – speaking strictly for myself! I find that I lash out and rather than glorify or bless God, I curse Him, or one of His creations, when they rudely cut me off in traffic, say something I don't agree with, or just generally act like a "regular" human being! If only the other people we share this earth with would get on board! If only they would live their lives to glorify God and spend their time worshiping Him!
But, alas, we are flawed and imperfect! David acknowledges that he is a poor man—poor in his ability to be self-reliant and unable to achieve anything without God’s power and will. By looking toward our good and loving God, by turning to Him in times of trouble, and of joy, our faces are radiant. And others around us are compelled to ask us the source of that light which emanates from us!
These verses don’t mean we’ll never have trouble in our lives. Rather they implore us to take our troubles to God. He’s big enough to handle them. And more, even before Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor and Comforter, God commanded his angels to watch over his beloved. Isn’t it comforting to think of the angels encircling us in times of distress, and guarding our souls when we’re tempted, and just generally helping us to stay on the right path?! I think of an old western movie where the wagons form a circle for protection!
To even imagine being loved enough and cared for enough that God would go to this much trouble to keep us close to Him does, indeed, cause us to “bless the Lord at all times!” Our faces should be radiant and reflect the light of God’s love to everyone we meet! Others should look at us and wonder the source of that radiance.
No matter what we’re going through in our lives; no matter how far away from God we feel; no matter what we’ve done or said or thought, when we repent and seek the Lord, He will answer us. I find great comfort in that! I rejoice in that! That kind of love is not to be found on earth—only in Heaven with our loving, good and gracious God.
I hope you spend today radiating the love of God and rejoicing in His mercy and grace!
Mary
