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1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 2 I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: 3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. 4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. 5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. 6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. 7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. 9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. 22 God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out. (Psalm 34:1-10, 22)
In talking with family members one evening over my birthday lunch, our daughter had offered up the prayer for my birthday meal, and I made the comment that I was sending her to seminary. She and her sister looked at each other and said, "We've lived that life already, and maybe my husband would like it; I know he would love the free food!" We chuckled, for we knew what "free food" meant. In case you don't, it's a reference to covered dishes and pot lucks. For many, the offer of a covered dish is a chance to sample some incredible food, and I remembered one church in particular where one of our staff members was always first in the line for the free food. His family situation was known by all and so we understood his wanting to be first. I thanked God his enthusiasm for worship was just as strong, and he delighted in being in worship as often as he could. How about you?
The psalmist loved worship, too. Yet, this psalm alerts us to the reality that worship is not limited to a place or time; worship happens when we become aware of God's presence and power. David invites us to praise God all the time and to enjoy the blessings of God's faithfulness to us. His worship was not limited just to the good times, but also during the moments of deepest despair and desperation, troubling anxiety and worry, too, but it was in those moments that he knew that if he called out to God, God would meet him "more than halfway." David knew God to be his refuge and protector, who offered a circle of safety when he needed it most.
David also invited us to move just beyond the thoughts of images; he says we should taste and see how good God is. It is an encouragement to experience God's goodness firsthand. We are called to open our mouths in worship, to taste the joy of His presence, and to open our eyes to see God's abundant blessings. We have been invited to seek Him, with the promise being that those of us who run to Him will "never lose out." God has paid for our freedom, God has set us free from the bonds of sin and worry.
It may be that tomorrow may bring to us a challenge we did not expect, and its size much larger than we want, but know this, we can stand with confidence, knowing that God is our refuge, protector, and provider. You and I can live a life enriched by continuous worship, a life where we taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
So, dear one, whether our life is filled with joy or trials, let us bless God at every chance we get and live and breathe Him in all we do. For God meets us more than halfway, and in Him, we find our eternal refuge and ultimate freedom. Amen? Amen!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness and faithfulness. Help us, Lord, to live a life of continuous worship, praising you in every season of our lives. We open our mouths to taste your joy and open our eyes to see your blessings. Be our refuge, protector, and provider, and may we always run to you, knowing that in you, we find true freedom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Start praising God right now!
Please know of my love for you and the wonderful gift you are to so many!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
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