Day Five Psalm 34:1-7
1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. – Psalm 34:1-7 (NLT)
Discover
1. What are the actions the author takes in this Psalm?
2. What are the actions God takes?
3. What do these verses teach you about the character of God?
Respond
As a young Jewish girl, Mary would have been raised on Old Testament scriptures like this Psalm. Her song in Luke 1 alludes to several of those scriptures, showing just how saturated Mary’s life was with God’s Word. She hid it in her heart, and as a result, knew something about the character of God. She believed He could be trusted and that in Him, no shadow of shame could darken her face. As you read God’s Word, ask Him to do the same in your own life. Pray that your time with God would help you know Him and His character, resulting not just in more information, but transformation.
For Families with Kids at Home:
Because Mary knew the scriptures, she was able to remember it when she needed it most. Ask your kids what their favorite Bible verse is (and consider sharing yours). Commit to memorize a Bible verse together this week that will encourage each of you!