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.

Joy Comes with the Morning

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Hope, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Redemption, Salvation

“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5, ESV).

            Psalm 30 lifts up praise to God for His wonderful mercy.  David reflects gratefully on God’s gracious deliverance in the past, in protection and healing and salvation from death (vv.1-3).  The following verses urge all of God’s people to join the praise, with a focus on the gracious character of God (vv.4-5).  The latter half repeats these same themes, recalling God’s deliverance and rejoicing in His kindness (vv.6-12).  Verses 4-5 set the focus of the whole thing firmly on the divine mercy.            

God is loving and merciful.  In the midst of trouble, God’s people can still praise Him and declare the wonders of His grace.  Marvelous is His mercy, wonderful His love.  When we have turned away into temptation and sorrow, we can return with good hope, and find welcome again in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.

Not Abandoned

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Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Jesus Christ, Love, Pandemic, Redemption, Salvation

“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.  To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame” (Psalm 22:4-5, ESV).

            Psalm 22 is another psalm that begins from a place of desperation.  David cries out to God from a sense of abandonment, that God seems absent (vv.1-2).  But, even in the midst of this feeling of dereliction, he knows that God is the Holy One (v.3).  He reflects, then, upon God’s reliability and deliverance in the past (vv.4-5).  From there he will press his plea with God.  Perhaps the standout feature of this psalm is that Jesus chose the first part of the first verse to put into words His cry of dereliction on the cross.         

    God has shown His mercy and faithfulness in the past, and we can trust Him with our present trials, and with our future.  The ultimate display of God’s compassion is the saving death of our Savior Jesus Christ, who bore our sins upon the cross.  He took on Himself our abandonment, so that when we cry out to God we find mercy and grace.  Look to God in your struggles and doubts; He is strong to save.

God of Salvation

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Christianity, Devotional, God, Jesus Christ, Peace, Persecution, Power, Redemption, Salvation, Security, Strength

“Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!” (Psalm 3:8, ESV).

            David has seen God’s deliverance, and he is confident that he will see it again.  God has sustained him (v.5), and so he takes courage, even against overwhelming odds (v.6).  This final statement encapsulates the theme of the psalm: “Salvation belongs to the LORD”, God is able to save.

            God is able to save.  We never need to fear, because in any and every situation, God is strong to deliver His people, to lift them up in His way and His time.  Those who belong to Christ may rest in His strength, and in this word of peace; we are in His hands, no matter what.  “Salvation belongs to the LORD”.

The God Who Hears

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Christianity, Compassion, Devotional, God, Jesus Christ, Love, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Strength

“I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4, ESV).

            Knowing that God is his protector and hope, what is David’s course in the face of danger?  He calls out to God for deliverance; and the wonderful news is that he can report God’s care for him.  God is his shield, and has not failed to preserve him from his enemies.            

The Lord hears those who cry out to Him for help.  When trouble comes, turn to God and trust His power and wisdom.  Make your sorrows and fears into prayers to God Almighty, who is able to save, restore, and heal.  He who delivered David from his enemies can deliver you from any danger—and His final deliverance is promised to all who belong to Jesus Christ.

Easter Tuesday

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Christianity, Crucifixion, Easter, God, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Praise, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

I bless you, God Most High, for this day to declare your glory and the resurrection hope. Wonderful you are, and wonderful are your works for our redemption. Thank you for the love that sent your Son to the cross; thank you for the power that raised our Lord from the tomb. For your mercy and kindness, your majesty and strength, be forever praised, God Most High—Amen.

Easter, First Light

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Christianity, Easter, Faith, God, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Hope, Jesus Christ, Life, Praise, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Trinity

All praise to you, God Triune, at the dawn of this resurrection day! You are worthy and wonderful, holy and glorious, far greater than any words can declare. How marvelous the miracle of our Lord’s resurrection, how merciful the grace you extend to sinners, how deep your love, how awesome your power. Spirit of Life, Father of Light, Risen and Reigning Lord, be forever glorified—Amen.

Good Friday, Evening

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Christianity, Cross, Crucifixion, Faith, Good Friday, Holy Week, Jesus Christ, Praise, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation

Lifted up upon the cross, you draw all men to yourself, Lord Christ. To save us, you did not spare yourself. For our reconciliation with God, you lifted up your cry of God-forsakenness. You suffered and died in our place, our sacrificial lamb. Praise to you, lamb who was slain; glory to you, crucified Savior; honor to you, blessed Redeemer, who bore the cross for us.

Palm Sunday, Evening

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Christianity, Glory, God, Humility, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Palm Sunday, Praise, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Worship

Welcome, Holy King, come to deliver us from sorrow, sickness, and sin. Welcome to your world in turmoil, which only you can save. Welcome, gentle conqueror, come to us astride a donkey in the majesty of humility. How startling is your strength, how awesome your arm reaching down so far; you take upon yourself the depths of our lowness, and lift us to the heights of your glorious salvation. Welcome, Savior of the world.