The God Who Is with Us

Psalm 34

Sheep are defenseless creatures. They have no ability to protect themselves. They cannot even be trusted to find food on their own or to rest when they are tired, much less to defend themselves from attacks of predators. Sheep need the constant protection of their shepherd.

When sheep in Palestine are on their journey to the high meadows they pass through deep canyons, which are dark and filled with dangers.* While in these dark valleys the shepherd is especially close, always making his presence known.

GROUP DISCUSSION. When children are frightened in the middle of the night, what they need more than anything is someone to be with them. They need someone to reassure them with their presence. Think of a time you were afraid as a child. Describe your experience.

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a time when you were afraid and experienced God being with you. Describe your experience.

In Psalm 34 David describes his experience of facing dangers and threats of every kind, of being afflicted and even brokenhearted. In spite of the experiences of affliction acknowledged in this psalm, this psalm is a psalm of good news, of loud shouts of praise, for David tells of discovering that God was with him - that God responded to his calls for help and rescued him.

Read Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me."

Read Psalm 34.

1. What title would you give Psalm 34?

2. List all the things the psalmist says that God has done and continues to do for us in Psalm 34.

3. What response does the psalmist have in these verses to all the ways in which God has been with him?

4. The first verse of Psalm 34 tells us that this psalm is meant especially for those who are afflicted. The psalm is written to encourage us when we are in distress or when we are walking through a dark valley. Reflect for a moment on the afflictions or dark valleys you have experienced in life. What have those times been like for you?

5. What invitations and instructions do you find in this psalm?

6. Both Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 23;4 teach us to expect difficult times, even when we are following God's ways. How does this compare with your expectations?

7. Verses 17-19 tell us that the righteous may have many troubles, but that God will be close to them in those troubles and will deliver them. Have you found this to be true? What is your response to these verses?

8. How might God make his presence known to us? What helps you experience God's presence?

9. Take a minute of quiet and ask God to show you how he is with you as your refuge and help. Write whatever thoughts and feelings come to you.

Talk to God about whatever troubles you are experiencing. Invite God to show you that God's Spirit is with you always.

Now or Later
Begin each day this week by reflecting on the truth that God will be with you all day, even in the difficulties. Invite God each day to remind you of his Spirit's presence with you. End each day by reflecting on the times you were aware of God's presence.


Psa 34:1
PSALM 34
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
I WILL bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Psa 34:3
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
Psa 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
Psa 34:5
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
Psa 34:6
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7
The angel* of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Psa 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psa 34:9
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
Psa 34:10
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Psa 34:11
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psa 34:12
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Psa 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psa 34:14
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psa 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
Psa 34:16
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psa 34:17
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psa 34:18
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psa 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psa 34:20
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Psa 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Psa 34:22
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Footnotes:
34:7
Or Angel

The God Who Guides Us

Psalm 25 (below)

In a flock of sheep there are always some who wander away. Some sheep become distracted and lose their way. But the shepherd knows this and looks out for them, drawing them back onto the path.

God does not expect us to travel alone through life. God stays with us. A good shepherd anticipates and plans for the needs of his sheep. God goes before us and beside us, guiding us on the right path.

GROUP DISCUSSION. What images come to mind when you think of a shepherd guiding his sheep?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a time you experienced a sense of guidance from God. Describe the experience.

Seeking and following God's loving, personal guidance for our lives is central to the life of serenity and peace that is portrayed in Psalm 23. It is also the deep heart cry of David in Psalm 25:4, "Show me your ways, O Lord."

Read Psalm 23:3.
"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Read Psalm 25.

1. What emotions do you see being expressed directly and indirectly in Psalm 25?

2. When have you been in a situation in which you needed God's guidance in the way that is expressed here?

3. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with God (vv. 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15-16, 20-21)?

4. As you look at your answer to question 3, how would you compare or contrast the psalmist's relationship with God and your relationship with God at this time?

5. What does the psalmist say about God?

6. What does the psalmist ask of God?

7. How might the reassurance of God's provision of guidance found in Psalm 23 provide comfort to a person seeking God's guidance with the urgency found in Psalm 25?

8. As you look at your answer to question 5, how would you compare or contrast what the psalmist trusted to be true about God and what you trust to be true about God?

9. In Psalm 25 the writer comes back to his need for forgiveness and God's forgiving love several times (vv. 6-9, 11, 18). What thoughts do you have about the relationship between this theme and the theme of seeking God's guidance?

10. Many of us can identify with the sheep who stray. What fears or beliefs make it difficult for you to seek and follow God's guidance at times?

11. What needs do you have for guidance at this time?

Pray, inviting God to guide you.

Now or Later

Begin each day this week asking God for guidance and thanking God for the promise of guidance. End each day reflecting on the ways you can see God guiding you. If this is a struggle for you, spend time each day praying that God will heal your fears and open your eyes and heart to God's love so that your desire for God's guidance can grow.

*******

PSALM 25 (NKJV)
A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness
A Psalm of David.
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall *He teach in the way He chooses.
13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
18 Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!
Footnotes:
25:12
Or he