Psalm 34:4-10  [NIV] | 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.

Life is full of questions that are beyond our understanding. Where are we to turn when answers are not clear, or we find ourselves receiving conflicting information? David, in his Psalm, instructs us to seek the Lord, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 24:4). We pray to God to deliver us from our fears – all fear. We seek out God through prayer and await God’s response. God promises to answer every question and walk along with us is all matters of life.

The challenge we face in listening to God involves the multitude of interferences we face from the world and our own sinful nature. The ways of the world often oppose the will of God. The world attempts to draw us away from the one we should trust and to focus more of self and our own personal desires. We find ourselves seeking refuge in our own abilities and understandings involving tough situations in life. God calls those who love him to seek him in their fears and doubts. In the reading David is giving us a challenge, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

David experienced God’s blessing and shares that we too can take refuge in God and receive God’s blessing. We are called to revere God for he promises only the best for us as his Baptized children. God will not withhold himself from us; he provides us with all good things. When the world seems to be crashing in, when life feels hopeless and lonely, our merciful God will deliver us from our fears. Regardless of where we are in life, we are blessed as we take refuge in the one who already has a perfect plan. It is time to taste, and see that the Lord is good.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us taste the goodness of your unending love. Draw us near to you when we drift away or seek other means of refuge. Thank you for the goodness you give in our lives. Amen.

Action Plan:
I will turn my fears and anxiety over to God and take refuge in him.

Pastor Rod Lindemann
I Can’t | Jesus Can | Jesus Can Through Me