Psalm 34

Scripture:  Psalm 34:17-18  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Observation-What does it say?  David had an eventful life.  From his humble beginning as a shepherd and being the youngest in his family.  For a time, he was King Saul’s personal harp player.  He was then thrust into the limelight after killing Goliath.  Taken into the kingdom and made the leader of Israel’s military.  After time, Saul grew jealous of David, knowing that he would ascend the throne of Israel, and he made multiple attempts on his life.   From the title of this Psalm, we know it was written in a period when David was fleeing for his life from Saul.  The time in which he “feigned madness” was documented in 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1.  It is from this place of uncertainty that David was able to write, “I will bless the Lord at all times” (34:1).  In faith, David sees God’s deliverance, even though he is not living in it.  In obstinance of what he sees, which is complete chaos, he trusts in God’s provision for those who are broken. Understanding-What does it mean?  For most of my life, I have been called an “old soul.”  Which carries into my love of hymns.  One of my favorite hymns, “It Is Well,”  was written by Horatio Spafford in the wake of a horrible tragedy.  Once a prominent businessman, Spafford lost all of his assets in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.  His son died a short time before this.  Then in 1873, he was set to take part in a missionary trip to England with Dwight Moody.  Delayed by business, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead, with plans to follow only days after.  The ship carrying his wife and daughters was struck by another ship and sank, killing his four daughters.   After receiving the news of the loss of his daughters, Spafford sailed across the Atlantic to be with his wife.  It is said that as he crossed the place where his daughters died he penned the words of the hymn.  When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.    The uncertainty of today definitely feels like we are in the midst of a billowing sea.  But, God’s word tells us of his goodness and His plans for a bright future.  It is in these times where faith needs to take hold, even amidst what we cannot see.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  When we look at these incidents from a perspective focused on heaven, we know they will all be in the goodness of God’s plan (Romans 8:28). Life Application  Jesus, help me come to know you more intimately, where my faith in you will abound more.  Fill me with peace, even when the world feels as though it is trying to tear me down.  Help me to see this world from the view of eternity, where there is no more sorrow.  Teach me to say, it is well with my soul.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcp6w4zaW7U-Tyler Galloway  

Psalm_33

Scripture - What stood out?

Psalm 33:5 (NIV) The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.  Observation - What does it say?Written by an unknown author, this is a psalm of praise to God. The psalm is a reminder of why we worship God, why He is worthy of all that praise and just exactly why we put our hope, our trust and our faith in Him. Understanding - What does it mean?The phrase that stood out to me in verse 5 was “unfailing love”. It kind of caught me off guard. I have heard the phrase that God’s love never fails, but for the first time I sat and thought about God’s unfailing love.To try and understand what “unfailing love” I began to think about...failing love. What type of love has failed me in the past? Parental love. Marital love. Romantic love. Brotherly love. Friend love. Self love. All have failed me at one time or another. Our love fails. But God’s love is...unfailing. And that is how God loves. His love doesn’t falter, or slip up, or forget, or fall short.

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Has love ever failed you? 

 Lord I can spend the rest of my time here on earth thinking about love that has failed me. Instead, I ask you Lord that I would spend the rest of my life dwelling on a love that never fails. I think about Your life, Your ministry, Your work in Calvary and I know that I am just scratching the surface.May I spend the rest of my life trying to understand your brand of love. A love that never makes a mistake. A love that never falters. A love that never fails. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.-kenneth lee 

Psalm 32

Scripture

Psalm 32: 6-7

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

 

Observation

David writes form a place of introspective worship to God, proclaiming that He provides peace and comfort to a tired and weary soul. Within these two verses he provides an outline to achieving liberation and deliverance for the soul.

 

Understanding

When I was little (and still now) when I have a bad day and need a good cry I always go to my parents for comfort. My dad just holds me and lets me cry, and everything seems to melt away and I feel safe in his arms. HE for the most part is my hiding place during these times of distress and trouble, and I don’t have to worry about anything else. That is exactly what I imagined when I read these verses today, and they hit me like a ton of brinks, but in a good way.

They echo snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! And they lay out exactly how to do that.

1. Intercession: He begins by saying “Therefore let all the faithful pray for you while you may be found…” implying that someone is lost, and others are praying for them to find their way home. I think this is very indicative of the current state of our world right now. Lost, and searching for answers (or a way home). David reminds us that the journey home, although difficult, starts with prayer.
2. Protection: “surely the rising waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place…” I can’t stop saying “you are my hiding place.” There’s security in those words like no other. However, the protection only came because someone prayed for the directions home, and that person decided to follow the road map. So my little side note would be to STAY THE COURSE no matter how difficult. Because when you do, you will find the greatest comfort waiting at the end of the road.
3. Liberation/Deliverance: “and surround me with songs of deliverance…” From protection come liberation, came relief, came freedom! Safe in the arms of the Father, nothing can touch you, harm you, or threaten you. This is what are nation is starved for, but it begins with intercession.

 

Life Application

We are not in a fight of flesh and blood, yet we’ve been suiting up for battle with all the wrong weapons. Our world is starved for change and I think it’s time we turn to the only hiding place we haven’t been to yet. My soul waits for Him and Him alone, but until we meet I will be in fervent communion with my Creator.

-Allison Khan

PS If you find yourself worried or stressed I have found that saying “you are my hiding place,” makes every anxiety and fear melt away.