Verse of the Day 1/29

Psalm 34:7-8 (ESV) The angel of the LORD encamps 
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.

 ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! 
   Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

 

I read this psalm in my devotions this morning and a couple of pictures came to mind. 

 

First, regarding the "angel of the Lord".  Many feel that when we see this phrase in the Old Testament that it is actually referring to a manifestation of Yahweh Himself or perhaps a preincarnate appearance of Christ Himself.  The picture that came to mind was the people of a city under threat of siege looking out to see the kings army "encamped" around the city.  Their visual and physical presence would bring hope, confidence, and security to them.  As Christians, the picture is similar, God is encamped around us, visible to the eyes of faith and physically there to fight our battles.

 

The second picture is that of "tasting" that the Lord is good.  I'm sure you've gone to a restaurant where after dinner they bring around the desert trays.  They look so good, but if you were to take a piece off of the tray you may find that what they were showing you was a plastic representative of the real desert.  If you did bite in you'd realize that you'd been deceived having a tasteless piece of wax in your mouth.  But to take a bite of the real thing is to experience it as it is supposed to be.  The sweetness, the smoothness, the rich flavor of the delicacy is to be savored.  So it is with our Saviour.  We need to taste AND see.

 

May you realize that the Lord is encamped around you today, to experience His presence.  May you be able to "taste and see", to experience His presence as you worship today.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Psalm 34:4-10English Standard Version (ESV)

 ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me 
   and delivered me from all my fears. 
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant, 
   and their faces shall never be ashamed. 
⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him 
   and saved him out of all his troubles. 
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps 
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.

 ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! 
   Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 
⁹ Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, 
   for those who fear him have no lack! 
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger; 
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.