I love reading and studying my Bible because there’s always something new for me to learn, no matter how many times I’ve read it. From about ages 19 to 21, I spent time training to learn to breakdown verses and chapters of the Bible. It was a tough process, but I learned so much and it comes almost second nature to me now. Because I have this skill and this blog, I’d love to share with you from time to time some verses, stories, and chapters that I find inspiring or interesting. Today, I’d like to share Psalms 34:4. It was the verse of the day on the bible app and I felt inspired to share some of my insight. I’ve broken down this one verse into four parts. I’ll explain practically what each part means and how we can apply it today.
“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 ESV
It is a short verse, but let’s break it down!
“I sought the Lord…”
What are some ways to seek the Lord?
We can cry out to Him. “Lord, where are you?!” “Help me.”
Even deeper, we can fall into conversational prayer. You can talk to Him and just move through the entire situation that you’re going through. Lay it all out to Him. Ask for guidance with each occurring problem.
You’re not doing it wrong if your “conversation” sounds more like yelling. Just like in our everyday relationships, it’s better to talk it out than let it fester. Unlike people, though, God doesn’t yell back or get offended, so just let it out! In this instance, I’m reminded of the story of Job. In one day he lost everything- his livestock, servants, and all his children. He was going through the toughest time of his life! He curses the day he was born and ponders the human relationship with God. He grows frustrated and wants to confront God and complain. It’s important to note here that this is the Old Testament. Jesus had not come and died, and there was no Holy Spirit who helps us speak to God. At this point in time, God had to literally come down and talk to you some type of way. Like Moses and the burning bush. Job was faithful to God throughout his entire ordeal (meaning he never rejected God or renounced his faith), but even he wanted to confront God and air his grievances. You can read through the story to find out exactly how it all played out, but the point I’m making is that complaining to God is a thing you can do and don’t let the fact that you have complaints instead of praises stop you from seeking the Lord in prayer.
We can go to His Word. I’ve heard countless stories from frustrated friends of them opening up their Bible to a random page, beginning to read and have a verse, paragraph, or even the entire chapter reveal the answer to their question or bring the peace they were seeking. It’s truly a beautiful thing to hear and even more incredible to experience.
Of course, you can intentionally go to the internet to find verses that speak on the issue you want to resolve. This can be tricky because sometimes we don’t know exactly what we’re looking for, so it’s helpful to pray or meditate on the issue and find the root of the problem before trying that method.
We can literally seek Him by going to a particular place, like a church, a pastor, or event.
The woman who touched Jesus’ garment (Luke 8; Mark 5) had a level of faith that’s hard for some to imagine, but she also got up from her home and went to where she knew he’d be. She physically sought after God. We can do the same today, for example, by showing up to a Sunday service, Bible study, or small group meeting.
Other ways to seek the Lord are through worship. We can worship in song, in the giving of our time or finances, or in community with others.
“…and he answered me…”
This can happen in more ways than I can probably list here.
Sometimes He comes with a literal sign.
For example, you seek him by asking, “Lord should I stop smoking?” Suddenly, there’s a blimp flying overhead sporting a flag that simply says, “QUIT TODAY.” This may not happen every time but it’s a possibility that happens more than you’d think.
He can answer through people.
This is a wonderful result of having community. Whether it’s a close friend, a parent, a neighbor, or a stranger, God uses people to get answers and messages to us. Someone close to you might know your whole story and be able to give insight from the inside. A pastor or therapist may be able to give you insight from the outside looking in. Either way, it’s as if you feel peace or understanding from their advice. Like a lightbulb flicked on and suddenly you see. A stranger may not know your situation, but they may just say something or do something that is exactly what you need to hear or see.
He can also answer through prayer.
Whether you’re reading a prayer, having conversations with Him, or more formally having a structured prayer time, He can answer this way, too. Sometimes He brings up a thought or a verse or just a feeling washes over you and you know He’s answered you in that moment.
He can answer through His Word.
When you seek Him through His Word, sometimes the answers are right there on the page! It’s fascinating and inexplicable. So, many different verses from different stories can yield the same result when applied to your personal situation.
Sometimes when you haven’t even opened your Bible, but a verse pops up on Facebook or is sent from a friend that is exactly what you needed.
Lastly and most obviously, He can answer through action.
Of course, he can literally answer your prayer. The sick are healed, money from seemingly nowhere shows up, pain just leaves you.
Other times it can be more complex than that. The best example I have is praying for patience. Everyone I’ve ever known who has prayed for patience has simply been given a situation that requires more patience than they thought was humanly possible to give. It’s funny, but it’s tough and it’s real.
“…and delivered me…”
Delivery usually comes with the seeking, but oftentimes we don’t feel it until we’ve received the answer or even long after that.
What I’ve learned, from those much wiser than myself, is that God will always deliver, but it’s on me when I receive and accept it. That may sound complex but let’s break it down.
Sometimes we don’t get the answer we want and we reject the delivery. For example, we pray for healing for a loved one, yet they pass away. It may take time to recognize there is a healing in death. An end to their pain. A beginning of a new chapter. It is very hard to hear and accept the finality of it all. It takes time. Frequently, it takes a lot of time. More time than we would like. In this example, when we sought the healing, we knew death was an option. We just couldn’t see how death could ever be the “right” answer. But in our seeking Him, He began to set in motion a plan. They will be healed (even if you don’t like how), and you will be held by Him throughout the process. The delivery started when you sought Him, and when you look back, you’ll see all the small and big ways your prayers were answered.
On a lighter note, delivery may be more obvious. Like, a feeling of peace or a phone call with someone giving you the exact solution you asked for.
“…from all my fears.”
It’s tempting not to give this phrase it’s own section, but rather lump it with the delivery part. I think it’s important to discuss this little tail end of such a powerful verse.
This is ALL of our fears. All the doubts, the anxiety, the what-ifs and the possibilities. Every stage of life has its own set of new and different fears that can come with it, and the Lord is freeing you of each one. Even the unspoken and unseen ones.
Isaiah 41:10 tells us not to fear because He will strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with His righteous right hand.
You can be delivered from every fear. He will be right there with you through it all.
Now that you’ve had a deep dive into this verse and have some tools to help you live it out, I hope you put it into action today! Right now. Sooner rather than later.
And remember at least two things. (1) It starts when you seek Him, and (2) it may not look exactly like you pictured but be encouraged by the results. You will be delivered. And loved all the way through it.
Prescribed by Law 