We’re finishing the week by taking a dive into the inspiring chapter of Psalm 34 today, continuing with The Message version to help us understand the language of the Bible a little better. It is such a pleasure to pursue God and soak up His Word together with you! The payoff for all of us is a heart overflowing with love, joy, and peace.
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Transcription:
Real peace is living by God’s word, the Bible, so I can avoid a lot of the needless hang-ups and hurts and habits that mess up my life. I think it was Pastor Rick Warren who said those words and they are powerful. Hi, welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host, and it’s Friday, so you know what that means. It is so time for joy bombs in the Psalms, and since all week you and I have been studying The Message translation of the Bible, I had to choose Psalm 34. I think you’re going to love it too, so join me now, right there in the middle of your Bible. We’re going to dive right in today and come up refreshed by God’s Word, by the peace that it offers us every single time we crack it open. Psalm 34, now verse one.
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.
Hand in the air; anybody need to be freed of anxious fears? Ask him right now. Right now, back to the Psalm now verse five,
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.
Okay, there are so many places to pitch a tent in this Psalm, but I got to stop here for one quick second. Come on, sit down in the tent with me. Let’s have a s’more. God seekers are full of God. Do you know that right now because you clicked a couple of buttons and said yes to studying God’s Word today that makes you a God seeker and you just read the promise. God seekers are full of God, and you know who God is? God is peace. God is love. God is joy. The Bible talks about the fruit of the spirit. He is every single fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. I know I’m missing one. Goodness. He is goodness. He is every single thing you need in your life. If you are seeking God, you are seeking those things as well. Good for you, right? Good for me. Okay. Let’s go back to Psalm 34 now verse 11.
Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty? 13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth. 14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace—don’t let it get away! 15 God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan. 16 God won’t put up with rebels; he’ll cull them from the pack. 17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. 18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. 19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. 20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. 21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good. 22 God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.
Oh my word. I hope that you are filled to the brim with all the goodness of God. Alright, what do you say we continue to seek God together next week. Wow. You and I. We are God seekers. Until next time, you are truly loved.
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