Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Today's Readings

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Many are the troubles of the just man,

but out of them all the LORD delivers him.    - Psalm 34:18-19

These words can be found in today's Responsorial Psalm. They are beautiful, comforting words.

David wrote these words after he pretended to be insane before Achish, the ruler of Gath, in order to escape. At this time, David was a fugitive, and he was running from King Saul and trying to avoid getting captured.

Understandably, the psalm begins with praising God, and it continues with a call to praise God. David is on a high from being left unscathed, and he pledges to always praise God for what He has done. David's praise then overflows as he calls others to join in with him in praise. He has gone from a state of fear and panic to a state of elation and peace. He attributes this to God, his shepherd through it all.

Whether you are reading this reflection and everything is chipper or you feel like the "brokenhearted" and "crushed in spirit" mentioned in verse 18 above, I want to encourage you to read the Psalms as we prepare for Good Friday in just two weeks. The pattern is clear: circumstances can have a huge impact on our lives, but the ultimate impact that God has provided for us in Jesus Christ is a new foundation or new soil within which we can be planted and withstand any circumstance. Even death cannot have the final say when we are planted in God's kingdom through Jesus. Here are a several psalms to consider: Psalm 1; Psalm 18; Psalm 23; Psalm 25; Psalm 34; Psalm 37; Psalm 40; Psalm 42; Psalm 46; Psalm 51; Psalm 63; Psalm 88; Psalm 91; Psalm 108; Psalm 145. This selection goes through a few of the psalmists highs and lows. He is honest before God; he is real with God - we can approach God the same way.

You can find all of them HERE.

Anonymous

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir | "Psalm 34" (Live)