Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. —Psalm 34:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The LORD is near (Philippians 4:5). How do we know? He promised his people this long ago and kept his promise. He drew near to us in the manger with Jesus. He walked among us in ministry as Jesus touched, healed, blessed, raised, mended, and loved. He suffered with us, and for us, in Jesus’ Passion. Many of us have experienced his nearness in tragedy, trial, heartbreak, and brokenness as he drew near to us to save us. Others of us have experienced his presence as we sought to share the message of Jesus, as he gave us words through the Holy Spirit and strength and courage to stand up to those who opposed us. The bigger questions are these: Will our hearts be open to him and his presence? Will we seek him and ask him to draw near? Will we obey him and invite him to live in our daily lives? We must not let troubles and heartache lead us to pull away from God or doubt his nearness. Let’s believe the promise that as we draw near to God, he will draw near to us (James 4:8, 10). Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, please be near me today. Make your presence known in my life. Father, I also ask that you bless those I know who are struggling with their faith and with broken and disappointed hearts. They feel so alone. Please be active in their lives and make your presence known in tangible ways to sustain them in their times of trial. In Jesus’ name, I ask you to fulfill this promise in people who are precious to me. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. —Psalm 34:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Deliverance! The great theme of deliverance runs throughout the Bible. This theme is built on the LORD being the God of deliverance, the Covenant God who keeps his promises, and the faithful Sovereign Creator who shares his grace, mercy, and justice. May knowing God as our Great Deliverer stir us to righteous living and a boldness to cry out honestly to God in all of our troubles. One way we can rely on our LORD for his deliverance is by reading through the Psalms regularly, letting these inspired words from so long ago offer us a rich guide to call to God while seeking his deliverance through the varied tapestry of life’s events. As we cry out to God, we can ask honest questions as we share the wounds that life has brought upon us. As we do, we can know God’s attentive presence is real as we open our hearts to him and long to receive his deliverance. My Prayer… Father, your people around the world need your deliverance from persecution, hardship, hostility, martyrdom, and the discouraging and withering cynicism that goes with these trials. In your majesty and power, please destroy the plans of the wicked. In your mercy and grace, please deliver your people as they face hardships and troubles. In Jesus’ name, we pray to you, the God who has promised to deliver us from all of our troubles. We believe you are the God of deliverance! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:16
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. —Psalm 34:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates violence and demands that we not admire those who are violent or share in their violent lifestyles (Proverbs 3:31). God abhors those who do evil. God not only opposes them when they are alive, but he also mitigates their influence and poisons any memory of them after they are gone. God helps us see “those who do evil” for who and what they really are and what they have done. Far from being viewed as heroes, their legacy of hate and wickedness is spurned, shunned, disdained, and forgotten. God will “cut off the memory of them from the earth.” My Prayer… In our own time, dear Father, help us see the wickedness done by “those who do evil” for who they are. O LORD, please render their threats impotent and ensure that any remembrance of them is a foul stench in the nostrils of those who come after them. Please, don’t let them deceive and co-opt others into doing their evil will after they are gone. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry… —Psalm 34:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are righteous because of God’s mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:1-10). These were given to us in Jesus! We received them because of our faith in him. We are remembered because of God’s faithfulness. We are heard because of God’s lovingkindness. We are blessed because God is good. Let’s choose to live in righteous ways, seeking to live up to who Christ has declared us to be (Colossians 1:22). As we do, let’s know that God, our loving Father, keeps us in his sight and watches over us with loving care. My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for seeing our needs, hearing our cries, answering our prayers, and coming down to save, comfort, and bless us with your grace. In Jesus’ name, we thank you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. —Psalm 34:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It is not enough to turn from evil. We can clean the putrid things out of our lives and hearts, but if we do not actively pursue what is good, then a worse evil can rush into the void, and our second condition becomes worse than the first (Matthew 12:43-45). So, let’s be people who turn from evil, become eager to do what is good, and with a passion choose to “wage peace.” My Prayer… O Father, please let me be an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, use me to share your love and grace. Where there is injury, sin, and brokenness, please use me to bring healing, forgiveness, and comfort. Please, Abba Father, use me to do your good work in my broken world as I seek to live at peace with all people. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:12-13
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. —Psalm 34:12-13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God reminds us that our words and the way we use our speech significantly impact the quality of life we will enjoy. Nothing cuts short a vibrant life like evil speech and the lies we tell. These deadly evils unleash deception and destruction that we cannot control. This unleashed poisonous power not only harms those about whom and to whom we speak, but evil words and lies eventually boomerang, coming back to bring their deadly payload into our own lives. Let’s be people who speak what is right, good, wholesome, holy, true, and a blessing (Ephesians 4:20-5:12). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous God, my Father, purify my heart. Please cleanse my words of all deceit, slander, vulgarity, wickedness, untruth, exaggeration, mean-spiritedness, distortion, guile, and words that wound. May the words of my mouth and the intentions of my heart be pleasing to you, O God, my LORD and my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. —Psalm 34:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Is there any greater definition of what a parent’s role is than this? Let’s make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children we love. My Prayer… O Master, LORD God my Savior and Sustainer, my Abba Father, please keep my heart set on your priorities with the children in my life. In Jesus’ name, I beg for this grace to be true. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:10
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. —Psalm 34:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While even the most fierce hunters of the animal world cannot ensure their security and nourishment, those of us whose hunger is for God will find ourselves nourished, blessed, and sustained, both now and forevermore. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for the promise that you will never leave me or forsake me, even though friends and partners may betray and leave me behind. I confess that it is sometimes hard to fully comprehend, much less believe, that you are always faithful. Confusing and hurtful times come, and I waver in my confidence in your grace. Please forgive me and renew my hope. I do believe, dear Father, that you love me like no one else can or will. I do believe, Almighty God, that you care about my wounds and worries. I recommit my heart this day to trust in your daily care, provision, and grace for me because of what you have shown me in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:9
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. —Psalm 34:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Fear of the LORD” is one of the great themes of the Bible. The phrase is particularly hard to translate, especially in light of the repeated message of the Bible to “do not fear” (Matthew 10:26, 28, 31; Revelation 2:10) and John’s reminder that “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18-19). Fearing God means more than “holding God in reverence.” Generally, “fear of the LORD” means that we remember our place in the order of things, especially with regard to who we are in God’s presence. We know we are deeply loved by our holy Father in heaven, whom we call Abba Father. We also recognize that we are weak and sinful in comparison to God, and that we are saved by God’s mercy and grace. We acknowledge that his majesty and holiness are far beyond us and that we pale in significance in holiness and importance before God. We come to God acknowledging our need for him and our unworthiness to demand anything from him. The reality is that when we approach God with this sense of awe and profound respect, he in turn welcomes us with open arms and brings us close (Isaiah 57:15). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, God Almighty, thank you for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Thank you for your love, faithfulness, and justice. I come to you on my knees, recognizing that you are holy, majestic, awesome in power, and righteous in all that you do. Without your grace and the gift of your Spirit, I know I could not come into your presence with such boldness. Righteous Father, please forgive me for my sins and empower me to be a person of integrity and grace, to your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. —Psalm 34:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Some aspects of faith are indescribable. They can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the LORD by obeying him and experiencing his presence. Sample his goodness by doing his will. Lean upon his grace in your times of struggle and sense his nearness. Take refuge in his care as you call upon his name. God longs to bless you as you seek him. Seek refuge in him when facing life’s greatest dangers and fears. Draw near to the LORD and obey him so you can taste his presence and find his nearness comforting and reassuring (John 14:21, 23) because the LORD is near (Philippians 4:5-7). My Prayer… Please help us, dear Father, to know you and experience your presence more fully in our daily lives. Open our hearts, dear LORD, as we seek your presence and more fully entrust ourselves to your care. Open our eyes to see how gracious you are. Make your home in us and make yourself known to us as we obey you. We long to taste and experience the goodness of your presence. Thank you for hearing our prayer offered in the powerful name of Jesus our LORD as we seek your nearness. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.