Nov 1 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psalm 34:1-10

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

The opening line of this Psalm feels a little off. Really? Will ya David? Will we? This sounds to me like the Psalmist urging himself on, the way a jockey would urge a racehorse to the finish line, or maybe the little engine that could. Let us urge ourselves toward the same goal. Taste and see!! The more you taste the more you will want.

Afternoon
Psalm 34:11-18

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Notice how close this is to the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5. God is close to those who are weak and helpless. He pursues and destroys the powerful. Pray that God will keep you brokenhearted and hoping in him alone. That you will not fall for the temptation to trust in power or other hopes. Spend a few minutes remembering that your hope today is in the LORD alone.

Evening
Psalm 34:19-22   

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Take refuge. Not merely to gain entry into the coming new creation, but now. There are many threats to our life and to our comfort. Jesus is our hope both now and forever. Our hope can never be overcome. Rest well.