1.) First, notice how many times Psalm 34 talks about seeking the Lord or crying out to the Lord and the different responses included:
- The Lord hears
- The Lord delivers
- The Lord answers
- The Lord saves
- The Lord is near
- The Lord redeems
As an achiever and one who identifies so much more with Martha over Mary, I was struck as to what our single role is (to cry out) versus God's role. But why am I to be surprised by this? For isn't salvation us crying out to the Lord in need of a Savior and him hearing us and answering our cries? And just as I tend to forget that grace isn't solely for salvation, but is for my continued sanctification; I forget that crying out isn't solely for salvation either, but is what the Lord wants from me on a daily basis and is also a part of my continued sanctification. He wants me to come to him, he wants me to cry out with my frustration, my pain, my joy. Daily. Because it gives space for us to recognize Him as the good Father and rescuer that he is and for Him to do His thing- his hearing, his answering, his drawing near, his redeeming of our relationship with our family, coworkers, etc.
2.) It's funny because I feel like in our GC/DNA we have talked a lot about how we are not limited to just reading the Bible but also have the opportunities to listen to it and read it out loud, but I honestly have never really listened to the Bible. But since I am a major rule follower (generally) and the Psalm guide said to read the Psalm aloud three times, I waited until my roommates weren't home (because it's kind of weird to talk out loud by yourself in your room), and read it out loud three times. And there was something incredibly empowering in speaking God's promises. Especially the ones in this Psalm. So my challenge to you is to read the whole Psalm out loud today and then to read aloud the specific promises from God listed below.
Promises from God:
- Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
- The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.
- Those who fear him have no lack.
- Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
- The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Those who hate righteousness will be condemned.
- None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
No wonder David encourages us to bless the Lord, magnify the Lord, taste and see that He is good and to take refuge in Him! Being reminded of these promises and truths leads me to worship. God makes sure we lack no good thing! NONE of those who take refuge in him will be condemned! Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
3.) Finally, the last thing to stand out to me was the theme of food. (Probably because I LOVE good food and grew up in a family that planned vacations specifically around food.)
In the very first line David states "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
This struck me because I've always thought this line ended with 'his praise shall continually be on my lips" (which maybe this line is somewhere else or other versions have this). But it made me think. What does it mean his praise shall continually be IN my mouth? When I think about something being in my mouth I immediately think about something melting in my mouth which always leads me to think about chocolate. Chocolate is something I savor. What would it look like not just to praise God outwardly, but to contemplate, or "savor" if you will, his praises inwardly?
The next part talking about food is 'Taste and see that the Lord is good!'
Which is great imagery. And a great line- way to go, David. But how do I actually do this? I know the Lord is good. But to taste implies experiencing it yourself. Just like when I tell someone to taste a dish so they can experience it for themselves. How do we experience the Lord's goodness?
For me, there are lots of ways.
- Through thankfulness. By practicing thankfulness and taking time to recognize the good things in our life, knowing these all come from a good Father. What are you thankful for today?
- Through remembrance. By looking back on my life and seeing how the Lord has led me to where I am now, which nowhere near where I imagined but 100% better. At the time I would not say this but I can look back now and see God's grace and goodness through different seasons of life. How has God provided for you and brought you to where you are now? How did you become a believer? How have you grown since then?
- Through others- our church family and my GC. By hearing the ways they are thankful and seeing them remember. By being close enough to see how God is at work in their life.
- Through things that bring joy. Don't over spiritualize it. Every good and perfect gift is from above! I experience God's goodness through slow mornings where I get to sleep in and have breakfast in bed! What are things that bring you joy and help you experience God's goodness?
-- Ally Landis