Psalm 34

​Psalm 34 is one of my favourite Psalms because it is one of praise.  It is one that helps us to connect to our God.  It starts with David praising God.  Praise is one of the most vital actions that God’s people can do.  David says he will praise the Lord all the time! And that he will proclaim praises to all who will hear.
 
David goes on to give testimony of how great God is and how much God has protected and cared for him.  (Apparently, David wrote this Psalm when he was running away from Saul and afraid of getting killed by the Philistine King Achish.)
 
During the recent evacuation alert, I felt some fear.  Deep down, I knew God would protect us.  Deep down, I knew that whatever happened, in the long run, we would be okay.  But I did feel some fear as to what we were going to have to go through, especially thinking about the Lytton fire... it was stressful. 
 
What I knew I needed to do was to praise God, even in this difficult and scary time.  Then I remembered that the Lord hears the cry of His people.  We, and so many in Merritt had shared on social media the need for prayers for the fires that were surrounding us.  I realized that many of God’s people were crying out to Him for us as we were also crying out to Him.  God hears the cry of His people! 
 
Verse 6 says, “In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.”  Verse 17 says, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.”  
 
God hears us and He saves us.  That Sunday night, it started to rain, and it kept on  raining through the week, and then the evacuation alert was rescinded.  Praise – the – Lord!  That was no coincidence! God hears the cries of His people!
 
I hope Psalm 34 can encourage us all to follow the Lord and His ways whole-heartedly, knowing that He will protect and care for us through any troubles.
 
Sharon Hartwig

3 Month Reading Plan - Psalms 32 - 33