ZPCBlog

About this post: We want to stay connected! This blog post is part of a series of daily devotionals for this season. Read them, share them, and pray that they bring God's peace and love to our communities. To sign up to receive text notification of these posts, text zpc to 39970. We welcome your comments and questions each day. 

About the author: Cynthia Carr and her husband, John have been attending ZPC for 14 years and are members. They have two young adult sons, Ryan and Jason, who are both in college. Cynthia serves as an Elder, coordinates the Intercessory Prayer Team’s weekly prayers, and volunteers with the Food Pantry. She and John participate in a ZPC Home Group.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 34

Who doesn’t love a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie? They’re my go-to recipe to offer when someone’s hurting, grieving, or celebrating. The process of praying over the cookie recipients, the incremental adding of ingredients, and assembling the batter on the cookie sheet is my way to show love when I can’t help in any other way. And the taste of warm chocolate, butter and vanilla in my mouth is comforting and delicious.

This time of Covid-19 quarantine has provided me many hours of cooking and baking opportunities, house cleaning, and purging unnecessary stacks of paper. In one of my cleaning sessions in the old playroom, now the ‘catch-all’ room, I found this sweet verse glued to a piece of paper from years gone by from VBS or Sunday school by one of our young son’s hands: Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Continuing in that same Psalm, 34:8 says, Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  

Psalm 34, is an acrostic poem in the Hebrew alphabet, one of a series of the songs of thanksgiving. It describes how David was a fugitive among the Philistines and living more by his wits as he was poor in money, and resources, according to the Hebrew word for poor. He pretended to be insane and was driven away by Abimelech. It’s one of the first Psalms which describe angels as guardians of the righteous. David fears the Lord, as in honoring him, and repeatedly says he will bless the Lord at all times, whether he is brokenhearted, weak, scared, hungry, or feeling shame.  

How comforting to know that this scripture was being taught to our boys. I also like visualizing how words form in our mouths before they are spoken and can offer praise at all times, especially when we feel downtrodden. When we recognize those words can have a huge impact on others, we’re more likely to choose them well, and ensure they glorify God. Positivity is so powerful in this uncertain time. When I praise God for the blessings we DO have, it helps keep me stay balanced and focused on how he watches over us, versus considering the shortcomings or sacrifices that we or our children are each experiencing, especially now. Our Lord doesn’t promise to remove our troubles, yet to see us through them. There are likely moments in each of our consecutive quarantine weeks when we can practice the warm words of praise for how we see our Lord working: the healing of people; guidance for our healthcare workers; supply of PPE; and the daily miracles of his provision for peoples’ generous hearts to help in a time of need. We praise God, and feel the warmth of positive thoughts on our tongues like a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. May it be so. 

Activity:

Read the entirety of Psalm 34. Give thought to the words you use when things are going smoothly for you, and again when you’re frustrated. I know for me it’s harder to keep my words positive, for example, when my computer does crazy things and I can’t accomplish my task. Reflect on whether you feel the Lord is close to you and ask for his guidance when you become overwhelmed.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father,
Guide us in your ways and keep our eyes and words on you. Give us encouragement that you go before us, and guide us to help others in their time of need. Bless our words as they form in our mouths to speak in peace with our loved ones, colleagues, and strangers.
Amen.

Share