Psalm 34

Constancy and sincerity in worship is our goal, but how can we achieve it? Is it inescapable that sadness concerning the events of our lives and the relationships that are most dear to us will gain the upper hand over our souls? Can't we bless the Lord at all times, regardless of what is happening to us?

If we could just make this resolve with a pure heart and somehow keep our promise, if we could ask God for the resources of heaven without doubt, perhaps His praise would continually be in our mouths. Or is this life of pure devotion simply beyond us on this side of heaven?

Our problem is not the Lord. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. He is worthy of our greatest boast. Everything about Jesus Christ, who loves us, should make us glad if we are given the humility to call upon His Name. Yes, we should call upon God through Jesus Christ, and sincerely invite others to the banquet of heavenly worship. Surely when all doubt has been removed from us, we will say to everyone, “Let us exalt his name together!”

If we consider the story of our lives and of others who have trusted in Christ, what do we find? No problems? No, that is a very unrealistic expectation, and would leave the church with no reason for faith, since we would already have heaven on earth.

What is our story? We turned to God, and he answered us. It may have been that the gifts He brought to us were different than the ones we thought that we needed most. It may be that we too often take up our fears again unnecessarily. Despite our disappointments, those who stand in Christ can surely testify that our deepest needs have been addressed. We have eternal life through the blood of the Lamb, and we have found joy in Him as we have trusted in His great work accomplished for us with unfailing love and power. If there is a radiance in our worship, this is the reason why.

We should never forget what Christ has done for us. We were in the worst spiritual poverty and we have been granted the imperishable blessings of heaven. God has granted us a new life in our souls and many earthly blessings that remind us of His goodness and power. He is near us through the ministry of men and angels sent to guard us and guide us through our current dangers and disappointments.

If this is not enough to make you happy, understand that the glory that will be revealed in us is far more weighty than even the worst trials of our current tribulations. Perhaps God has given us some of the songs and poems of heaven so that we can better understand the world that He has secured for us through His Son.

The Lord, the Spirit, and the church say to all who are weary, “Come!” There is a unified witness of invitation to all who will listen: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” You need to taste the heavenly life. Start by renewing your heart in the perfect refuge that God has provided for you in His Son. Fear God above all, but then by the eye of faith He grants to you, gaze at the bounty of heaven's blessings. Look around you through the Word and see the way that He cares for you in His holy place.

We frankly admit that the godly man may suffer today in very substantial ways. Yet God is feeding our hearts with news of a better experience. He must have a purpose for putting this song in our hearts. Somehow we find a way to look beyond the present difficulty, knowing that there is a Promised Land reserve for His people, where those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing.

Teachers will pass on this vision from generation. Parents show their children how to walk in hope. They will train up the young ones in the fear and worship of God. Those who believe and rejoice will not be disappointed.

Is there anyone who needs life? Do you want to live in a land of the fullness of joy forever? Do you want to see what good really is? Show the sincerity of your faithful desire by repenting of your sins. Turn away from evil and do what is good in the strength of the only Man who perfectly obeyed God's Law.

God will surely hear you when you confess your sins and worship Him through the merit of our perfect Savior. If Christ Himself is your righteousness, the eyes of the Lord are turned toward you to bless you. But those who reject the provision of the Son of God for life and continue in evil without repentance, how will they bear the face of the Lord when He comes to judge the world?

Even now, the Lord will hear the voice of the humble, but He opposes the proud, and they will not inherit the earth. He will hear the voice of His sheep, and they will hear His voice and follow Him.

Because God has announced that He delivers the righteous from all their troubles, does this mean that there will be no reason for tears in this life among those who worship the Lord? No, God Himself insists that there will be some who are truly brokenhearted, and He promises to be near them. Yes, there will be those who are brought so low in this age, that they are rightly described as “crushed in spirit.” Yet God saves people like that.

Our confidence in the Lord is not a denial of afflictions in this life. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Yet our confidence is this: “The Lord delivers him out of them all.” How did God's deliverance work in the case of His beloved Son who went to the cross for us. The Lord heard Him and kept Him through all His suffering. Though His deep trials for us were a fulfillment of prophesy, so were the details of the Lord's care for Him, as in this word preserved for Jesus in Psalm 34: “He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”

Nothing can stop the Lord's plan of full redemption for His chosen people. We should bless the Lord at all times. Taste and see that the Lord is good. None of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.