Ok back to Psalm 34.
A parent is a child's first real contact with the "outside world". Obviously, this can be good or bad, based on the parent. If a parent is harsh or abusive, the child will learn to be guarded, expecting life to be harsh as they grow.
LIkewise, if a parent is loving and nurturing, a child learns to love and trust, often seeing the good in people.
Our parent/child relationship shapes our view of reality.
After David talks about how he prayed and the Lord listened and heard him, he makes several statements about the Lord. Almost as if he knows we need to be re-educated he begins by encouraging us to, "taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." vv8
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
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.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
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 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. (NIV)
Perception, the way we see life, affects what we believe to be true. Take a moment to pray about these few verses. Is this what you believe a life with the Lord looks like? If not, then ask yourself, why?
Either the Word of God is wrong, or our perception is. If there is a contradiction, both cannot be true.
Smart money's on the Word of God.
