Saint Lucas Lutheran

Every Day With Jesus
August 16-22, 2010
Saint Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church
Milwaukee, WI

As they say, “if you are just joining us…” you might want to read all of Psalm 34 (aloud?) and not limit yourself to just the portion of the verse for each day.  It’s a great Psalm to know “by heart” useful to you and others every single day!

MONDAY, August 16 Psalm 34:6b  “This poor man called, and the LORD saved him out of all his troubles.”

SAVED     If you were going to list God in the “Yellow Pages” or wanted to “google” Him, what key word would you use? 

How about the word SALVATION?  Isn’t that God’s specialty?!  We were born to trouble.  It comes to us.  We create it.  Our life – past, present, future – is often simply one trouble after another.  The troubles come in different sizes.  They last  for different lengths.  They are all beyond our solo ability do what we may.

What to do?  Why, call out to the LORD of course.  Although we are spiritually “poor” and do not deserve His help and have no way to pay in advance or repay for it, He’s got enough grace to use His infinite strength to help us.  HE SAVES.  “…out of ALL his troubles”.  No exceptions!  Ever!  The greatest proof of course is the cross and empty tomb where His love met our greatest need.  He will take care of the rest too.

What are you waiting for?  Call on Him.  Expect deliverance.  Understand that it will come in His way and in His time – both of which are best for you.

PRAYER:  LORD, thanks for all past deliverance, especially the eternal salvation through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus.  Thanks in advance for all other rescue that You have planned for me and my loved ones.  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

TUESDAY, August 17 Psalm 34:7  “The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” 

The ANGEL of the LORD  Note that we have chosen to capitalize the name “The Angel of the LORD”.  This is very likely not just your ordinary super spiritual angel, God’s special messengers who serve for the good of His people.  They are awesome.   They continually provide special blessing and protection for God’s people according to the command of God in ordinary and special circumstances.  We have capitalized this Name because very possibly in this case, this Angel is none other than the LORD Himself.

In the Person of His Son Jesus Christ, He is present at all times with those who “fear Him”, that is, stand in a respectful awe-filled faith relationship with Him.  He encamps around us as He did with His Old Testament people Israel as He delivered them from Egypt and brought them safely through the Red Sea and the desert wilderness to the land He promised to them. 

His Presence provides deliverance.  Whether through His angel agents or His own personal intervention.  This is His characteristic activity throughout history in the lives of His people.  DELIVERANCE. 

Enjoy the reality of God’s gracious Presence in your life.  You are loved by Him.  Saved by Him.  He knows your need and He will act to deliver you – always and every where?  Isn’t that awesome?!

PRAYER:  LORD, I trust in You.  Deliver me.  AMEN!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18  Psalm 34:8a  “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

TASTE!   “Just take a taste”, a parent  says to a reluctant child.  Trying to get someone to try something new and unfamiliar can be difficult.  They are afraid it won’t taste good.  Maybe the initial taste seems to confirm their suspicions.  They do not trust the opinion of the person urging them to try it.
Sad but true – because of our inherited sin, we don’t trust God.  Conscious of our sin and unworthiness, we don’t expect good from Him.  We instinctively try to resolve our problems by ourselves instead of turning to Him.  It gets worse instead of better.  Overwhelmed by the mess we are in, we are tempted to simply give up in despair.

The Psalmist is the voice of experience.  He has taken refuge in the LORD.  There he has found refuge.  Help.  Deliverance.  He urges us to confidently do the same.  When we simply put our trust in the LORD and give ourselves up to His care we will taste His goodness.  We will find His blessing.  It will leave a good taste in our heart that makes us long for more.
Is there some circumstance our situation that you have withheld from Him?  Are you going it on your own?  Are you reluctant or afraid of completely turning it over to Him?  TASTE!  It will be good.  You will be blessed every time in every way.

PRAYER:  LORD, I give it all to You.  Give me Your blessing in all things.  Let me taste Your gracious goodness in Jesus!  AMEN!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

CLOSE  Things are not always as they seem.  Take God’s presence for an example.  When our hearts are broken and our spirit is crushed, we feel alone abandoned.  But our feelings are deceived.  Things aren’t the way they seem.  Just the opposite is true.
I
t is categorically true at all times:  “the LORD is close to the brokenhearted”.  Precisely then, when our heart is broken, the LORD does not abandon us but comes near.  Is our heart broken because of our personal sin and its resultant havoc in our lives?  Realize His presence, turn to Him.  “A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”  (Psalm 51:17b)  Are we hurt by the sins of someone else?  Abandoned?  Crushed?  “Then you will better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears” (Christian Worship 415 verse 3)

Turn to His Word.  Rely on Him.  He is close.  Always near.  In fact, dwelling in us.  He can turn our deepest sorrows into the most sublime peace as we sink into His arms and rely on Him to see us through.  He is close – He saves those who are crushed in spirit!

PRAYER:  LORD, in every moment of heartache and fear, please get me past my feelings and senses to the safety of Your promises and Your presence.  AMEN!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Psalm 34:19  “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”

TROUBLES    You might expect that God’s people would be exempt from trouble.  You would be wrong.  God’s people can expect trouble.  Perhaps even much trouble.  But, they can also expect deliverance.  And that from the LORD.

The Psalmist here calls God’s people “righteous”, “a righteous man may have many troubles”.   We don’t feel righteous do we?   Again, our feelings are wrong.  We may not feel righteous but God has declared us righteous, not guilty for Jesus’ sake.  It’s a reality.  A done deal!  We are His and He sees us clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. 

Such righteous people can expect trouble from Satan, who wants them back in his power.  Trouble from the world, that wants them to join them on the way to hell.  Trouble from our flesh, the constant traitor within.
Yes – in some ways our entire life is characterized by trouble or the threat of it.  But, “the LORD delivers him from them all”!

PRAYER:  Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody but You LORD.  In Jesus, I expect Your promised deliverance.  Thank you!   AMEN!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Psalm 34:22 “The LORD redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.”

REDEEMED   Dear Friend, my sister or brother in Christ,  YOU are redeemed.  By the blood of the Lamb.  You are precious in the sight of the LORD by His grace.  In Christ by faith, God calls you His own children.  You are love by Him.

Yes, you are also His servant.  In God’s house that’s not a second class citizen but a precious part of the family.  God is jealous for you.  He doesn’t want you to be condemned whether it be by the world, the devil, or your own guilty conscience.  Take refuge in His mercy – your sins are completely forgiven and forgotten!  Take refuge in His presence – He takes your problems and your needs seriously.  He will resolve the problems and meet the needs all the while simply being there with you and for you.

Don’t let your circumstances, your fears, or your feelings fool you!  You have it all in Christ.  You can say with Paul:  “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!”  And, express this faith: “My God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!”  (Philippians 4:13 19)

PRAYER:  LORD, for Jesus’ sake,  in the midst of all my problems strengthen me  by Your promises and give me Your power and peace!  AMEN!

SUNDAY,AUGUST 22 Psalm 34
Today is your turn.  You write the devotion for yourself (and to share with others).  Follow these steps:
1.    READ PSALM 34 – the entire Psalm (out loud is best)
2.    UNDERLINE every personal promise you find in its verses
3.    DO STEPS ONE AND TWO NOW please.

4.    Now – make a list your most pressing problems (as many as you can think of).

5.    Take the problems you have thought of and write a promise behind each one

6.    Conclude with prayer – give your problems to the LORD .  Boldly hold Him to His promises.  He will be delighted.  You will be delivered.