Psalm 34

1    I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
² I praise the LORD—
let the suffering listen and rejoice.
³ Magnify the LORD with me!
Together let us lift his name up high!
⁴ I sought the LORD
and he answered me.
He delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to God will shine;
their faces are never ashamed.
⁶ This suffering person cried out:
the LORD listened and saved him
from every trouble.
⁷ On every side, the LORD’s messenger protects those who honor God;
and he delivers them.
⁸ Taste and see
how good the LORD is!
The one who takes refuge in him
is truly happy!
⁹ You who are the LORD’s holy ones,
honor him,
because those who honor him
don’t lack a thing.
¹⁰ Even strong young lions
go without and get hungry,
but those who seek the LORD
lack no good thing.

11    Come, children, listen to me.
Let me teach you
how to honor the LORD:
¹² Do you love life;
do you relish the chance
to enjoy good things?
¹³ Then you must keep your tongue
from evil
and keep your lips
from speaking lies!
¹⁴ Turn away from evil! Do good!
Seek peace and go after it!

Psa. 34:15    The LORD’s eyes
watch the righteous,
his ears listen to their cries for help.
¹⁶ But the LORD’s face is set against
those who do evil,
to eliminate even the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ When the righteous cry out,
the LORD listens;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The LORD is close
to the brokenhearted;
he saves those whose spirits
are crushed.

19    The righteous have many problems,
but the LORD delivers them
from every one.
²⁰ He protects all their bones;
not even one will be broken.
²¹ But just one problem
will kill the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous
will be held responsible.
²² The LORD saves his servants’ lives;
all those who take refuge in him
won’t be held responsible for anything.

Listening to God: It is sad that you often feel my presence least when you are in the most need.  It should be just the opposite.  Like any good parent, my love reaches its peak when my child needs help.  I have everything you need and want to give it to you.  All you have to do is ask.  Repent your lack of trust and come to me in prayer.  I will bring good out of anything that is tormenting you.

Journal or lift up your prayers and reflections to God.

*Our season of prayer guide comes from Joan Gray’s book, Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.