Reading Psalm 34 today.
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Psalm 34:1-7 (NLT)
Sometimes it is helpful to spend some time with just a few verses. Looking at the first seven of this psalm, we have a unique glimpse into some of the elements of David's prayer life.
David said,
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
I prayed to the Lord
In my desperation I prayed
David's part in this example seems to be to praise God, to boast only in him and then pray!
Let's look at God's part,
He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
The Lord listened;
He saved me from all my troubles.
We are so used to being self-sufficient, aren't we? We try to do everything ourselves, often carrying burdens we were not meant to carry. Yet in this example it's clear; the child is going to the father, who is greater (worthy of the praise). The child asks, the father answers. The child comes in desperation, the father frees from fears.
Anxiety often comes when we forget our place. No matter how old we get, we are forever children of God. And when we turn to him, he lifts our burdens, he hears us. David explains this is not just unique to him.
"For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him."
We'll dig a little bit more into this psalm tomorrow.
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"Let no one come to you without feeling better and happier when they leave"
Mother Teresa 