He gives us grace and glory.
The LORD will withhold no good things
From those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11)
God does not promise to give us everything we think is good, but he will not withhold what is permanently good. He will give us the means to walk along his paths, but we must do the walking. When we obey him, he will not hold anything back that will help us serve him.
Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits – for his anger can flare up in an instant. But what joy for all who find protection in him! (Psalm 2:11-12)
We must surrender fully and submit to the Son. Christ is not only God’s chosen King; he is also the rightful King of our hearts and lives. To be ready for his coming we must submit to his leadership every day.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy. (Psalm 5:11)
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! (Psalm 34:8)
“Taste and see” does not mean, “Check out God’s credentials.” Instead, it is a warm invitation: “Try this; I know you’ll like it.” When we take that first step of obedience in following God, we cannot help discovering that he is good and kind. When we begin the Christian life, our knowledge of God is partial and incomplete. As we trust him daily, we experience how good he is.
But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned. (Psalm 34:22)
The Bible often connects the fear of the Lord (love and reverence for him) with obedience. “Fear God and obey his commands.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13); “All those who love me will do what I say” (John 14:23). David said that a person who fears the Lord doesn’t lie, turns from evil, does good, and promotes peace. Reverence is much more than sitting quietly in church. It includes obeying God in the way we speak and the way we treat others.
You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. (1 Peter 2:2-3)
One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up – to be like big brother or sister or like their parents. When we are born again, we become spiritual newborn babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How said it is that some people never grow up. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. Once we see our need for God’s Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God’s Word.
Be to me a protecting rock of safety,
Where I am always welcome.
Give the order to save me,
For you are my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71:3)
And the Father leaves all judgment to his Son, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. (John 5:23)
Because of his unity with God, Jesus lived as God wanted him to live. Because of our identification with Jesus, we must honor him and live as he wants us to live. The questions “What would Jesus do?” and “What would Jesus have me do?” may help us make the right choices.
I love you, LORD; you are my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the strength of y salvation, and my stronghold. (Psalm 18:1-2)
God’s protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God’s care with five military symbols. God is like 1) a rock that can’t be moved by any who would harm us, 2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can’t follow, 3) a shield that comes between us and harm, 4) strength of salvation, a symbol of might and power, 5) a stronghold high above our enemies. If you need protection, look to God.
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