Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Psalm 34
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Reflection
On a regular basis we are surrounded by chaos and struggles. Often times our days are overwhelming and the weeks are never ending. Through life’s disappointments and hardships we find ourselves wondering and questioning the presence of God. Where is he? Why do I feel alone when I need him? Questions swirl in our heads and leave us confused. If we reflect on God’s word we can find comfort and reassurance in our times of need. Many passages of the Bible emphasize God’s constant support. Psalms 34:15 says “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry”. This verse is followed up by Psalms 34:18: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit”.
God is aware of our daily struggles and is there to save us from our dilemmas. He is listening for our call, but we must remember, through daily prayer, reading and reflection to call out for him. We must seek God each day if we want his help and guidance. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalms 34:4). “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalms 34:17). If we call out to God and seek him, he will provide.
We sometimes forget to reach for God when we have problems. That is the state of man and it is no different today than when Jesus walked the earth. Even the disciples often forgot to reach out to God. Jesus was there to pick them up, remind them of God’s presence and teach right through the night before he was crucified. Even with personal instruction, Jesus’ crucifixion left the disciples feeling lost, confused, and abandoned. However, just as Psalms 34 explains, the disciples were not alone. Jesus rose from the dead and met the disciples in Galilee to restore their faith in the power of God. Imagine the comfort, joy and relief they experienced when the Lord was among them again.
We don’t have the option of a physical Jesus among us to remind us of God’s loving hand and guidance. However, our reflection on Jesus’ death and resurrection, our awareness of the Holy Spirit among us, can provide us comfort. The resurrection is the embodiment of God’s promise in Psalms 34. Jesus is our rock and shield. He is unfailing in his love. It is important during this Lenten season to remember that God never forsakes us.
Even during our darkest hours the LORD your God and his son are ever present. “Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you”. (Luke 11:9)

Written by a PC Sophomore

Today Please Pray For:
PC Sophomores