Congratulations, siblings,
This is the final verse of Psalm 34! Yes, indeed. And, as we register this as the end, allow me to tell you what you probably already knew. This psalm uses the Hebrew acrostic poetry pattern. In other words, every verse began with another letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Isn’t that something? Consider that as we reflect on Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 34:22 CEB
[22] The LORD saves his servants’ lives; all those who take refuge in him won’t be held responsible for anything.
From Start to Finish – God
He began with a blessing and ended with encouragement and a dedication, both directed at God. In the face of what should be fear, from the recesses of the cave of Adullam (the hiding place), David blessed God. ‘I will always bless the Lord’, he said; ‘You can always hear my voice in praise.’ Wherever he went in that time of testing, David humbly gave all glory to God.
What a lesson we learned there. For with those words, he reiterates the most critical message of Genesis 1, at the beginning of it all – no matter what it is – God’s there with us! For, if God was before the dawn of Creation, we are guaranteed that God our Maker is with us through to the end. And that’s a promise.
David didn’t only take this as given because he learned it in the Torah. He had also proven God time and time again: as a shepherd, as a warrior, and as Saul’s fugitive. He knew what blessing God could do. In good times and bad, David gave credit to God for keeping him.
Self-Check
Are we able to see God with us in the midst of the storm? Whether we do or not, can we maintain our praise?
Application
As he used the weapon of praise in worship, David sought to remind himself of all the ways he could do so in adversity. While the order of the alphabet might be slightly modified, we realise that opting to find a reason for praise with each letter was its own declaration. He praised God to the end because David knew God was with him to the end.
It is also worth noting that the original language starts that those who ‘take refuge’ (i.e., trust) in God shan’t be desolate. When reworded along those lines, we realize that the cave of Adullam, a refuge, is also an altar. It is that secret place where David met with God when the going got rough. We, too, can meet God in Adullam … or own secret place. And it doesn’t have to be in a time of trial. In fact, when we establish that rhythm and routine in the good times, it is easier to run there when Life is Lifing.
By ending with that encouragement, we find David assuring himself that as big and dangerous as Abimelek was, God is greater. That is also a reminder for each of us. From alpha to omega, God is God, God is with us, and God watches over us.
What a note to end on – we who trust in God need not worry. The burden of protection (i.e., responsibility for our welfare) for those who place our trust in God rests with God.
From Start to Finish – it’s all God!
Point to Ponder
What is we were to create an acrostic of praise for those moments when we might feel afraid?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
