How is your heart?
How are you feeling deep down in those places you like to keep hidden from everyone?
How are your emotions? Yes, even those that you don’t express too often.
You know, I already know the answer to these questions, but I am asking you so that we can have a dialogue about these deep things that you have found easier to keep hidden than to discuss with me or your friends.
Yes, that’s right. I want you to share with me how you are feeling, even if it is negative. And know this: I am here to listen, even if you want to rant. I am someone that you can get it all off your chest with; even if it is messy, even if it’s even shameful, I will listen. In sharing your deepest feelings and emotions with me, it will bring freedom as you are honest in expressing them. So, shout if you need to, cry if you need to, have a temper tantrum if you need to. It won’t surprise me; it won’t make me think any less of you and it won’t offend me. The benefits you will gain are enormous as I will draw near to you, into a place of peace once again. I will settle you down like a parent settles a child at bedtime, with words of comfort and reassurance. So, be real with me, unburden yourself, and I will listen and respond with my love.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The [1]angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no [2]want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to [3]cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as [4]have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be [5]condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Psalm 34:4-22 (NKJV)
#lionbites
Footnotes
- Psalm 34:7 Or Angel
- Psalm 34:9 lack
- Psalm 34:16 destroy
- Psalm 34:18 are crushed in spirit
- Psalm 34:21 held guilty
Unapologetically Marcia 