Instruction
Scripture: Psalm34:12-22
This psalm continues last week’s and was written as a
reflection of David’s experience in 1 Samuel 21 when he behaved as though he
were insane before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away, and
he was, therefore, rescued from the danger of Saul and the King of Gath. This
portion of the psalm continues the theme of tasting and seeing that the Lord is
good (v. 8). It describes the Lord as a vigilant defender, avenger, and
redeemer. In the New Testament, verse 20
is connected to Jesus’ crucifixion, indicating that none of His bones would be
broken. For us today this passage invites us to live under God’s protection
having hope even in difficult circumstances and points us to Christ as our
ultimate redeemer.
Teaching
This psalm asks a very basic question: Do you want to have a
long and good life? Most people would likely answer yes to that question, and
David immediately describes how that can happen. He writes for just one verse
about avoiding evil and doing good, but then goes on to write about how the
LORD relates to the righteous and those who do evil. In this way he shows that
a long and good life is a blessing from God and a result of His redemption.
This psalm takes on an even fuller meaning when we know that
it was cited as speaking about Jesus. Jesus who lived a short life and saw a
terrible end is also the ultimate example of God’s redemption because He was
raised from the dead and saved from the worst that can happen to any person.
Not only that, but He is now glorified and lives eternally. What the psalm
describes for us is what Jesus experienced and won for us.
Life
It would be easy to turn this reading into a morality
lesson: Do good to live a long good life. That, however, is not the point. The
point is that God rescues us.
It is interesting that this psalm that speaks of long and
good life also notes that we are sometimes brokenhearted, crushed in spirit,
and afflicted. It speaks of the reality that we who know we are forgiven feel
the most guilt when we sin. But notice what it says, “the Lord delivers him out
of all of them.” The long good life is rooted in the Lord’s deliverance from
our sins.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Confession and Petition.
O LORD God, we confess to You that while we do desire life
and to live for many days, our behavior is too often not that of the righteous.
Our tongues speak evil and our lips carry lies. We do not always do good, nor
do we seek peace with those who sin against us or harm those we love. Please
forgive us for the sake of Jesus, whose bones were not broken and who was
righteous on our behalf.
Hear our cry for help, O Lord, as You promise. Draw near to
us who are brokenhearted, crushed in spirit, and afflicted because of our sin.
Keep our bones and defend our lives. Redeem us, for we take refuge in You. Do
not let us be condemned, but remember that Jesus was condemned and died on our
behalf to deliver us from all of our unrighteousness. Amen.
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