The Nearness of God

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Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Grace, Hope, Kindness, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).

            From deliverance to providential care, the psalm reaches reflection on the justice of God.  He who looks to the righteous and hears them call, also turns His face against the wicked (v.16).  God’s redeeming favor rests upon the righteous (v.17); but that does not detract from God’s compassion to the needy, as verse 18 emphasizes.  God has compassion upon those who struggle beneath life’s burdens.

            God cares about the sorrows in your life.  God is kind and gracious, merciful to the hurting and the hope of those who despair.  Call out to Him in times of trouble, and find your peace in the nearness of the merciful King.

God Sees, God Hears

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Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Kindness, Love, Omnipresence, Pandemic, Security, Strength

“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry” (Psalm 34:15, ESV).

            David’s praise turns from God’s deliverance to His gracious provision.  God blesses and cares for those who seek Him (vv.9-10), and following God is the way of life (vv.11-14).  God sees His people and hears them when they cry out; God cares about our needs and hurts, and can carry us through all the struggles of this life.

            Our trials are never out of God’s sight, and our cries are never beyond His hearing.  His omnipresence is the greatest comfort to His children, because we know that our heavenly Father has us in His care, whatever we go through.  Turn to Him with your needs and fears, and take refuge in the Almighty.

Taste and See

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Goodness, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Pandemic, Protection, Redemption, Salvation, Security

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8, ESV).

            David has been reflecting on the goodness of God, who saves those who cry out to Him.  He has experienced God’s deliverance (vv.4-6), and attests the Lord’s protection of His people—“those who fear him” (v.7).  Now he calls people to experience for themselves God’s goodness, using the profoundly sensory language of tasting.  God can be known, and His kindness enjoyed by those who turn to Him.

            God is good, and we can know Him.  This is one dimension of the gospel promise: by faith in Jesus Christ, we can take refuge in God, and know His kindness and protection.  Take your burdens and fears to the Lord; He is strong to save all who call upon Him.

Radiant

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Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Power, Redemption, Salvation, Security

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (Psalm 34:4-5).

            David declares the mighty deliverance of God in this psalm; God is extolled in the words of His grateful servant, and others are urged to join in the praise (vv.1-3).  This is the testimony of one who has experienced the Lord’s rescue.  He declares God’s faithfulness, that others may look to the Lord, and find salvation.

            God can deliver us from all our fears.  No situation is beyond His power, no person is beyond the reach of His redeeming love.  The testimonies of the saints throughout the ages, even in Old Testament times, should be a great encouragement as we face our own struggles.  God has redeemed His people; God can lift you up, and make you radiant, victorious and unashamed.

His Steadfast Love

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Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, Faithfulness, God, Grace, Love, Pandemic, Trust

“Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you” (Psalm 33:22, ESV).

            Having observed the power of God the Creator (vv.1-9) and the sovereignty of God over the wicked and the righteous (vv.10-19)—a matter of judgment upon the wicked, but of salvation for those who love the Lord—the psalmist completes Psalm 33 with a declaration of trust and dependence upon the Lord (vv.20-22).  God is our hope, and we rest ourselves in His compassion and mighty power to save.

            Take refuge in the steadfast love of the Lord.  In trouble, in temptation, in failure and danger, this is our hope—the wondrous compassion of God.  God’s love is steadfast, faithful, unfailing; He has compassion on those who call upon Him, and lifts up the weak and the brokenhearted.  Rely today on the Lord, who is kind, and able to save

The Eye of the Lord

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Hope, Pandemic, Peace, Security

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19, ESV).

            The latter half of Psalm 33 declares the futility of other sources of deliverance, and counsels the wise to seek the Lord for salvation.  Worldly power is vain (vv.16-17), but God watches over His people and rescues them (vv.18-19).  We all live in the sight of God (vv.13-15, 18), and should look to Him, rather than trusting in ourselves or the things of this world.

            God never falters or fails.  He may allow us to endure hardships, sorrows, and dangers, but at the last His salvation is assured.  Whatever life brings your way, you can depend upon God.  Look to Him for deliverance, and your hope will be secure in all things.

God’s Plans

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Hope, Jesus Christ, Life, Pandemic, Peace, Security

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11, ESV).

            Psalm 33 calls on God’s people to lift up their voices in praise (vv.1-3), for God is worthy and has done mighty deeds (vv.4-9), especially in His wondrous work of creation.  And the Creator is sovereign over His creation.  He accomplishes His purposes, and overrules the will of men (v.10).  In this context, we look with awe on the sureness and permanence of God’s design.  This is a great comfort to those who rely on the Lord.

            God’s will accomplish His design for this world.  When life seems uncertain, we can take comfort in the sureness and security of God’s unshakable wisdom and almighty power.  What He has promised, He will bring to pass.  Redemption is absolutely assured for all who trust in Jesus Christ.  God’s Word is the rock of security amid the storms of this life.

Trust in the Lord

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Life, Pandemic, Peace

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:10-11, ESV).

            This concludes David’s psalm of gratitude for God’s deliverance.  He has traced his gratitude for God’s forgiveness (vv.3-5), and offered the wise advice that others should turn to the Lord (vv.6-9), the exhortation to repentance and faith which comes from an experience of God’s redeeming love.  Here follows the moral, the message of life in returning to the Lord—and it is a message of joy.

            God invites us to know the comfort and protection of His love, and the joy that comes from a right relationship with Him.  In Christ, He forgives all our sins and makes us clean and holy in His sight; He shelters us and blesses us; He promises us a home forever with Him.  Whatever challenges you face today, take joy and hope in the wonderful love of God.

A Hiding Place

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Hope, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Strength

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7, ESV).

            In Psalm 32, David reflects gratefully on the loving mercy of God.  He declares how blessed it is to know God’s forgiveness (v.1), and describes the freedom he found in confession and repentance before the Lord (vv.2-5).  God is a refuge, and we should seek Him (v.6), and echo the wonderful words of comfort of this verse.            

Take refuge in the mercy of God.  When you are afraid, when you are in danger, when you are troubled, take refuge in God.  His strength is invincible, His compassion is unfathomable, His wisdom is uncontestable.  He can shield you from harm, and give you peace in the midst of trouble.  Shelter in the arms of the Almighty.

Steadfast Love

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Peace

“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place” (Psalm 31:7-8, ESV).

            These verses follow David’s declaration in verse 6 that he is loyal to God, and has enmity towards idolaters.  The people of God trust in God, and find the Lord faithful to His own.  Thus the emphasis follows naturally upon God’s “steadfast love” and faithfulness.  He redeems His people from danger, and gives them peace.            

God sees the suffering of His people.  God cares for His children, and lifts them up in His way, in His time.  When you are bearing a heavy load, lift up your soul to the Lord; entrust your cares to Him, and wait for His deliverance.  May the redeeming love of God Most High bless His people with peace.