“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant.”
Psalm 34:3-5
Anxiety seems to run in my family. We’re very good at worrying about things. Anxiety has been with me for as long as I can remember. Often my go-to verse is Philippians 4:6 where Paul says not to be anxious for anything but to present our requests to God—with thanksgiving. But thanksgiving for what? Psalm 34 fills in that blank for me.
It firmly declares that God is with us in trouble. It overflows with the assurance that He will take care of us. His eyes are toward us and His ears open to our cries. He is close to the brokenhearted, ready and able to redeem and rescue and save. Reading King David’s joyous praise moves me out of my anxiety into a great, secure relief. I can transfer my worries onto Him and give thanks that He is my God. When I seek Him, He answers me and delivers me from all my fears.
Jesus is the evidence of that fact. His death demonstrates the unimaginable lengths the Lord was willing to go for us. It shows us His utterly outgoing heart of love towards us. The cross is always at the center of our thanksgiving.
It firmly declares that God is with us in trouble. It overflows with the assurance that He will take care of us. His eyes are toward us and His ears open to our cries. He is close to the brokenhearted, ready and able to redeem and rescue and save. Reading King David’s joyous praise moves me out of my anxiety into a great, secure relief. I can transfer my worries onto Him and give thanks that He is my God. When I seek Him, He answers me and delivers me from all my fears.
Jesus is the evidence of that fact. His death demonstrates the unimaginable lengths the Lord was willing to go for us. It shows us His utterly outgoing heart of love towards us. The cross is always at the center of our thanksgiving.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 34
Insight
FAVORITE COMFORTING WORDS IN ANXIETY by Janet Morris, wife of Charles, Haven’s fourth president. Janet played a pivotal role at Haven while Charles was at the helm for 25 years. She loves gardening, writing, painting, and being with their grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Bible In A Year
- Deuteronomy 1-2
- Psalm 80
- Acts 1