In Today's Scripture Reading:
David's trust in God; the blessedness of forgiveness; the Lord hears the righteous; David's prayer for safety
What a privilege we have to join with David and the multitudes since his time, saying: I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. . . . O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them (Psalm 34:1,3,6-7). Praise in our worship services, at mealtime, and during daily devotions is good and right and fills our hearts with joy. But, the psalmist went beyond the expected times of worship and praise because he was continually expressing love and devotion to the Lord. He wrote: My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long (35:28).
We are expected to praise the Lord even when everything seems to go wrong, since we know that many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all (34:19). We know that all things (always) work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). Even the most unjust and cruel things which we experience, whether deserved or not, become part of the process by which the Lord is transforming our lives. Similar experiences of David made him a man after Mine (God's) own heart (Acts 13:22; I Samuel 13:14). David suffered numerous injustices at the hands of enemies of God. He could have become bitter. Instead, he declared: I trusted in Thee, O Lord, and confidently said: My times are in Thy hand (Psalm 31:14-15). All opposition, sufferings, and disappointments become opportunities for us to react in such a way that, little by little, our Lord and Savior is able to produce in us His own character. Only in yielding our lives to God will we find the assurance, peace, and security we long for.
Often, we may not feel like praising God because of some satanic attack. Still, with David we can be glad in the Lord, and . . . shout for joy (Psalm 32:11) for His Kingdom ruleth over all (103:19). Regardless of circumstances, David said: I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken as recorded concerning His crucifixion (Psalm 34:20). These things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken (John 19:36).
Word Studies:
31:4 privily =b> secretly; 31:6 lying vanities =b> vain idols; 31:8 shut me up =b> given me over; 32:2 guile =b> deceit; 32:3 roaring = groaning; 35:12 spoiling =b> sorrow; 35:15 abjects =b> slanderers.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in the Middle East sponsored by Geraldine Nicholas Country: Zimbabwe (11.2 million) in south-central Africa Major languages: English and Shona Limited religious freedom 59% Christian; 35% Traditional; 2% Muslim; 4% Other/Nonreligious (Hindu, Buddhist, Baha'i, Jewish) Prayer Suggestion: Thank God for the spiritual rest that is in Him (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Optional Reading: Colossians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 19:10