John Stanko

"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" - Psalm 34:4-7.

When Adam and Eve hid from God after they sinned, it was because they were afraid. They also covered themselves with fig leaves because they were ashamed of their nakedness. Thus, fear and shame were the first consequences of the Fall and Adam and Eve's children are still encumbered with those two problems. David's report in today's passage tells us that his relationship with the Lord relieved him of those two human experiences. In order for that to happen for us like it did for David, however, we see some key action verbs in these verses that we must take: "sought, look to, called, and fear[ed the Lord]." Are you seeking the Lord until you get answers from Him, and consequently free from fear and shame? Are you looking to Him as your source of wisdom and strength? Do you call on the Lord not just when you are in trouble, but for all your life needs? And finally, do you fear the Lord, which is a healthy fear that keeps you from sin? The point of all this is that if you want to be free from the negative emotions of fear and shame that all Eve's children have, then you must be engaged in specific actions to make that happen. In other words, you do your part and God will do His to set you free.

Today's reading - Psalms 31-35