Text: Psalm 34:1-10
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Devotion
One of my most grievous sins is that I do not continually praise the Lord for everything, but often go my way for long periods of time and simply complain. A Christian always lives in the Lord’s house, breathes in His love every moment, continually gets full forgiveness of sins, is helped in every need and can never be overtaken by anything that harms his real happiness. The Lord’s eyes watch over him, and His ears are open to his prayer. The Spirit sighs within him, and God’s power saves him from all troubles. There is always a heavenly ladder that stands above him, just like Jacob in Bethel, and the hosts of angels surround him just like Elisha in Dothan (2Ki 6:17); whoever touches a child of God touches the apple of the Lord’s eye (Zec 2:8).
If it seems to you, dear Christian, that much evil surrounds you, – it is still true that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life” (Psa 23:6). In our Bible passage David is not talking to the “young lions,” that is the revered and the brave, but to the “poor;” and further on he says: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psa 34:19). Paul, who is sure that “all things work together for good to those who love God,” says shortly before that: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24). All who seek the Lord feel miserable in themselves, for they know their sin and let it trouble them; but in reality they are blessed, and God wants us to believe this reality, to believe God’s Word and to praise Him for salvation, even though we do not see it. Then we do see it. Therefore it says: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” – who trusts in Him – that tells us again who sees the Lord’s goodness. “They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.” Now do you understand what a blessing troubles are for your health and your happiness? They are beneficial beyond measure, even if they come as a result of your sins.
My conclusion shall be this: “I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” By His grace I shall always be happy in my inmost heart, indeed confident and happy in my God, so my life shall be to the glory of His name and the edification of His Church.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we entrust ourselves to You; grant us such grace by Your Holy Spirit for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
Grace! What sweet joy from our holy God now is here given!
Foretaste of joy that shall only be perfect in heaven,
Poured out in love, For our salvation above,
There light and life we are given.
Grace! O how wondrous, our burdens of heart ever easing!
How great the fullness of glory in heaven unceasing!
Sweetest Lord God! Who can consider how broad,
How deep Your love and Your blessing?
Unknown Danish: Herre! Jeg hjertelig ønske at fremme din Ære L 232:7-8 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Lobe den Herrn (ELH 65); alternate hymn: Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah ELH 262