Closer Day 4 | Psalm 34:1-10
Read: Psalm 34:1-10
1I 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 humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, 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 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their 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.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Reflect:
It only takes reading the first verse of this psalm to be challenged. I know it challenges me! I think about how often my first response to hardship isn’t to bless, magnify, or worship God. My thoughts easily fall on my difficulty, my lack, or my needs. We see David making a choice in the midst of his hardship where to put his mind, and then his words follow. He chooses to give God the honor he deserves even in the midst of really difficult circumstances. What is amazing is that this choice doesn’t just impact David, but it invites others to worship and exalt the name of God together.
David can rightly see where his help comes from. He knows that God hears him and answers him, but it doesn’t say that God only delivered him from his circumstances. It says that God delivered him from his fears. David understands that his battle starts in his mind and where his trust lies. No matter what this world throws at him or us, trusting God will keep our minds and hearts filled with peace. It will allow our faces to reflect God’s goodness and not the hardship of our circumstances. Having a right view of our lives and knowing that God is fighting on our behalf helps us confidently say that the Lord is good. We have seen him move in our lives, hearts, and minds. David then issues a challenge. He tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. This is a challenge to trust God and take refuge in him. Is there an area that you are holding back? Are you afraid to taste and see how God would respond because, in the depths of your heart, you aren’t sure of his character?
Prayer:
Lord, we know this world is filled with hard moments and experiences. We also know that when we encounter them, we have a choice of where to put our minds, our hearts, and our words. Lord, help us to choose to praise You. Grow our faith in such a way that we are able to seek You and boast in You even when life feels broken and disjointed. Lord, help us to take a step of trust today with __________________, knowing that You are our deliverer and our refuge.
This devotional is part of our Closer: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our hope is that this will assist you in focusing your heart each day. To learn more or to get caught up, click here.