Psalm 34, The Message

I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

² I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

³ Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

⁴ God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

⁵ Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

⁶ When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

⁷ God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

⁸ Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
    how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

⁹ Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

¹⁰ Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

¹¹ Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

¹² Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

¹³ Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

¹⁴ Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

¹⁵ God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

¹⁶ God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.

¹⁷ Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

¹⁹ Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

²⁰ He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

²¹ The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

²² God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

How we respond to life is who we think about most and trust as our greatest influencer of life!

God thinks about you and me. We are always on God’s mind. Read that again. WE are on God’s mind!

Max Lucado makes this point clear about the One we should always have on our minds and worship with all our hearts, minds, and souls!  He writes;

David praised God for saving him from Abimelek. He told of God’s faithfulness and protection during troubling times.

God is always with us, and he understands our struggles.

God knows what it is like to be a human. When I talk to him about deadlines or long lines or tough times, he understands. He’s been there. He’s been here.

God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but God will never forget us. We are forever on his mind and in his plans. He called himself “Immanuel,” which means “God with us” (see Mt 1:23).

Not just “God made us.”

Not just “God thinks of us.”

Not just “God above us.”

But God with us. God where we are: at the office, in the kitchen, on the plane. He breathed our air and walked this earth. God . . . with . . . us!

Memorize verses 17 through 22 of Psalm 34. Repeat them to yourself when you need a reminder that God is right beside you.

God IS listening.  God knows our hearts.  God loves us and is working on our behalf daily—even when we don’t feel it or see it—God is at work for he needs no rest or sleep.  NO ONE who runs to Him loses!  There are no regrets in surrendering to His love and care with direction and wisdom for Life!

Lord,

As I come to you, I realize again that you are right beside me, with me.  As I sit in the quiet of this moment may I talk with you from my heart. May my mind be fixed on you. Help me to think more like you. Guide what I do in ways to bear the fruits of your character.  May your glory be seen in me.  You are the One and Only I trust with my life for you are Life!  I worship You for you are my Savior and Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

In Jesus Name, Amen