Daily Devotions - God Hears the Cries of the Righteous

Psalm 34 (NIV)
Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

 

How might this Psalm be Jesus’ testimony?

 

Lord, Your Word is amazing. It is a living document that continues to speak to me. It is an overarching story that testifies about Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prepares the way for and points to Christ, while the New Testament reveals and explains who Jesus is. The ultimate fulfillment in this Psalm is in You, my suffering Savior. As You saved the bones of David, you also kept Jesus' bones from being broken on the cross. You are the righteous one who gives fulfillment to David, and to me. Although the words were written in and for a specific time, they are also relevant to my time and life right now. Passages give me perspective into the lives of the people who wrote it, their situations, feelings, fears, and challenges. After escaping a close call with the king, David gives You glory for helping him out of a fearful situation. He seeks to tell others, like me, that You will help them too if they choose a path of righteousness. I can learn from David's example, that even the righteous will have troubles, as he's had, but no one who takes refuge in You will be desolate. These Words reach into my life today. You deliver me from today's afflictions. At times it seems like I don't have the strength under the load. But along with the burden, You also give the strength to endure all things through Your life-giving Word. You hear the prayers of the righteous and You will deliver them. Lord help me to trust that You are working things for Your good, even when I can't see what You are doing, Let me live my life with an attitude of prayer and a lifestyle of praise that gives You the Glory. Amen