Last night I picked up an old Bible of mine that was sitting on the shelf. It had been so worn that I had it redone and a new leather covering placed on it while living in Michigan. The pages are worn and through out the Bible are things I had copied and noted along this journey of faith. There were words taped into the flyleaf in the front. Depending on the various stages of life there was a corresponding passage to read. There were passages to refer to if you were sad, angry, discouraged etc. One of the passages you should read if you have the “blues” is the 34th Psalm. In this faithful old Bible, Psalm 34 was heavily marked and noted. As I read this Psalm last night though the words so familiar seemed like a new dose of ointment prescribed by the Doctor of my soul.

This old study Bible has a word of introduction to the Psalm and I quote “Of David when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away and he left.Now I have been in some tough spots in life, but none so severe that I thought acting insane was my only option. If you have seen me act insane, rest assured it was no act!

You see we do some rather odd things when we do not know what else to do. Like a few other times in my life, this past week has caused me to do quite a bit of wondering and praying and searching. So, when I discovered something written a long time ago pointing me to Psalm 34, it was exactly what I needed. Let me share with you some of the words:

 

I will extol the Lord at all times;

his praise will always be on my lips.

I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are attentive to their cry;

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 

The righteous person may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all;

Regardless of what I am facing in life, the response must always be to praise God. David reminds me that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. This should be the most encouraging word you hear today. God cares when your heart is broken. Not only does He care about you, but he will deliver you from all of your troubles. Sometimes He takes the trouble away and sometimes He holds your hand and you walk through the troubles together!

Praising the Lord and trusting Him seems a much better option than pretending to be insane. So, today I have chosen to praise the Lord! Really praise Him! I have decided to hold onto to Him tighter. How about it friend would you praise the Lord with me today? He has promised that he will help, and praising does something deeply positive in our heart. Hang in there, God really does care about you!

 

old bible

5 Thoughts to “An old Friend”

  1. Kathy Kohl

    Inspired by your message of hope. Mike and I have suffered with the “blues” awaiting God’S plan for our life yet still focusing on where we are now. I have read this chapter many times and it has given me comfort. Praying for you Dr. Blake in whatever is going on with you. Please also put us on your prayer list. Kathy Kohl(Mike Kohl’S wife)

    1. Kathy. I will keep you both in my prayers. I have added you to my prayer list

  2. Darryl "Bogie" Bogatay

    Dr. Blake; I know that the ‘brokenhearted’ come in all shapes, all sizes, all personality types, all ages, and all societal roles as well as “Church” related roles. It’s very important for us to each one quietly and lovingly support those who are at times ‘brokenhearted” and therefore, carrying extra heavy loads. We do that by holding up to God the hands of those who lead, as did Hur and Joshua for their leader Moses. As a friend of mine recently penned, I return those very words as a loving support to him; “He has promised that he will help, and praising does something deeply positive in our heart. Hang in there, God really does care about you!”

  3. I shall read THE 34th Psalm again tonight and forward to a daughter in struggle these days, Larry Hull

Leave a Reply to Darryl "Bogie" BogatayCancel reply