APRIL 5, 2024 Psalm 35:1-2 Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Based on the number of psalms accredited to him and considering their content, it appears that a good part of David’s life was contentious […]
APRIL 4, 2024 Psalm 34:19-20 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. No one likes to suffer; no one in their right mind anyway. Yet when we made the decision to follow the Messiah we […]
APRIL 3, 2024 Psalm 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. There is no one, not even the simplest of people, who would serve a meal […]
APRIL 2, 2024 Psalm 34:11-12 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? In yesterday’s devotion, I briefly mentioned Yeshua’s exchange with the rich, young ruler — a man who possessed great […]
APRIL 1, 2024 Psalm 34:9-10 There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. In the previous devotion we focused upon the need to possess a reverence and fear of God in that we acknowledge His […]
MARCH 29, 2024
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Several years ago, the county in which we live experienced an outbreak of several tornadoes, most of which were quite destructive; unfortunately, some resulted in deaths. That evening my family were preparing a candlelight dinner (the power had gone out earlier in the day) when the weather radio we were monitoring issued an imminent tornado warning and told us to take shelter. In just the short time it took us to get from the kitchen to the bedroom closet, the storm was upon us. The house shook; we could hear leaves and other debris slapping the side of the house. Needless to say it was a scary moment or two and all I could think to do was to sing a psalm.
When the storm had passed I went outside — it was pandemonium. Several neighbors had lost everything in just a matter of seconds. Sirens were blaring, people were shouting; just a few hundred yards away, one family was trapped in their basement underneath the ruins of their former home. As I surveyed the devastation around me, my attention turned to my own home and property — no damage whatsoever. Downed trees and other signs of destruction surrounded our property but everything on our lot was spared. It was then I recalled what had transpired several hours before. Sensing that the storms would pass our way, I walked the perimeter of our property praying over and over, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
Never in my life had such a promise been so real; with my own eyes I could see the promise of the Lord being manifested before me — and for me. I saw no angels but I knew they were there watching over my family because, respecting His might and power, we had placed our trust in Him. For us, His deliverance was as significant as it was for Daniel when an angel was sent to muzzle the lion's mouth or for his three friends when they were rescued from Nebuchadnezzar's fiery pit. No books will be written about our experience but it doesn't negate the fact that the Sovereign of the Universe looked upon a small frightened family who believed in Him, and sent His angel to surround them and deliver them from destruction. If He did it then, He will do it again; if He did it for us, He will do it for you.
MARCH 27, 2024 Psalm 34:2-3 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. The Bible says that boasting born out of arrogance is evil (James 4:16). It is also written that to […]
MARCH 26, 2024 Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Through the years, I have heard this verse sung, recited and proclaimed but seldom, if ever, have I heard it discussed within the context to which it is dedicated: A Psalm of David when […]
MARCH 25, 2024 Psalm 33:20-22 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You. In keeping with the theme from yesterday’s devotion, those who place their […]
