April 18, 2020: SOAP #3789:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man 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 redeems his servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Observation:  In this psalm, the anointing of the Holy Spirit lifts the psalmist in praise.  The LORD is extoled and exalted for His many wonderful expressions of kindness to people.  He hears and answers them.  He comforts them.  He protects them.  He defeats the enemies of the righteous.

But the highest praise is saved for the last verse.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Surely the psalmist had no idea of what it would take for the LORD to fulfill that promise.

Application:   And although I have received the LORD as my Savior, I still do not fully appreciate the depth of God’s love for me nor the greatness of His suffering in payment for my sins.  I have been redeemed by the shedding of sinless blood on a cruel cross. He took my sins as though they were His own!  He not only removed my sins; He took away the guilt and condemnation that accompanied those sins. He makes me just as if I had never sinned!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, “were the whole ream of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” (Isaac Watts) LORD, I am yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!