Journey Through the Psalms Part V
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from July 6, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
Psalm 34 reveals David's personal testimony of God's faithfulness, teaching us how to truly seek God through direct, personal connection. When we genuinely seek God, He delivers us from fears, saves us from troubles, and surrounds us with His protection. The psalm reminds us that even righteous people face afflictions, but God remains near to the brokenhearted and delivers those who trust in Him. By surrendering our battles to God and developing a proper fear of the Lord, we can experience His peace, protection, and provision in profound ways.
Key Takeaways
God delivers from all fears - what's spiritual and not from God, He can deliver you from.
Seeking God personally is essential - we must be able to connect with God on our own, not just through others or special events.
Righteous people can experience broken hearts and afflictions, but God is near and delivers them.
The peace of God is connected to proximity with God - the closer we are to Him, the more peace we experience.
Our words matter - God satisfies our mouth with good things when our hearts are full of Him.
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Day 1:Seeking the Source
Devotional: In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves seeking answers, blessings, or solutions. But what if we've been missing the point all along? What if the greatest treasure isn't what God can give us, but God Himself? David understood this profound truth. In Psalm 34, he doesn't just celebrate what God did for him; he celebrates who God is. His testimony isn't just about deliverance—it's about the Deliverer. His praise isn't just for provision—it's for the Provider. When we shift our focus from seeking God's hand (what He can do for us) to seeking His face (who He is), everything changes. Our prayers transform from wish lists to conversations. Our worship moves from transaction to relationship. Our faith deepens from superficial to substantial. This shift in perspective changes how we approach challenges. Instead of merely asking God to remove our problems, we invite Him into them. Instead of pursuing blessings, we pursue the Blesser, knowing that in His presence, we find everything we need.
Bible Verse
"O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" - Psalm 34:8
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life have you been seeking God's gifts rather than God Himself? How might your experience change if you pursued relationship with Him above all else?
Quote "I'm pursuing the blesser, not the blessing. The blessing comes from my pursuit of him. I'm pursuing the Creator, not the creation. I get to enjoy creation. It's not the thing I pursue. I'm pursuing him."
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I've reduced You to what You can give me. Help me seek Your face above Your hand, Your presence above Your presents. Teach me to delight in who You are, not just what You do. As I draw near to You, transform my perspective and deepen my faith. Amen.
Day 2:Freedom from Fear
Devotional: Fear has a way of paralyzing us, doesn't it? It whispers worst-case scenarios, magnifies threats, and keeps us trapped in anxiety. Many of us aren't even dealing with actual calamities—we're burdened by the mere fear of what might happen. In Psalm 34, David offers a powerful testimony: "I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." Notice he doesn't say God delivered him from all his problems—but from all his fears. This is significant because sometimes our fears cause more damage than our actual circumstances. God doesn't promise a trouble-free life, but He does promise His presence in our troubles. He offers a peace that transcends understanding, a courage that overcomes fear, and a power that's greater than anything we face. When we bring our fears to God—naming them specifically in prayer—something remarkable happens. The God who is greater than our fears begins to shrink them down to size. We start seeing our challenges through the lens of His power rather than our weakness.
Bible Verse
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
Reflection Question
What specific fears have been controlling your thoughts and actions lately? How would your life change if you truly believed God could deliver you from these fears?
Quote "There are many people who are not afflicted by calamity, but who are greatly burdened by the fear of it."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I've allowed fear to have too much influence in my life. Today, I bring each fear before You—the fear of failure, rejection, loss, uncertainty, and anything else that steals my peace. Replace these fears with Your power, love, and sound mind. Help me walk by faith, not by sight. In Jesus' name, amen.
Day 3:Breaking Free from Strongholds
Devotional: We all have areas in our lives where we struggle—patterns of thinking or behavior that seem impossible to break. The Bible calls these deeply entrenched sins "iniquities" or what we might call strongholds. These aren't just occasional mistakes; they're habitual practices that have become so ingrained we might even consider them part of our identity. But here's the liberating truth: God specializes in breaking chains. What seems impossible to us is entirely possible with Him. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to free us from whatever holds us captive. Psalm 34 reminds us that "the Lord redeems the soul of His servants." This redemption isn't just spiritual theory—it's practical freedom. Whether it's addiction, fear, anger, or any other stronghold, God can and will deliver those who trust in Him. The journey to freedom begins with honesty—acknowledging our need for help. It continues with surrender—placing our struggles in God's hands. And it's sustained by community—walking alongside others who support our healing journey.
Bible Verse
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
Reflection Question
What stronghold in your life have you accepted as "just the way I am" instead of believing God can transform it? What would taking the first step toward freedom look like?
Quote "Iniquities are deeply entrenched sin like strongholds. And you've known it for so long that it has a stronger hold than just stuff that you stumble into and upon. I mean, you've been practicing it so much so that you think it's a part of your lifestyle."
Prayer
God of deliverance, I've been carrying this burden for too long. I've even started to believe it's just part of who I am. Today, I choose to believe Your truth—that You can break every chain and heal every wound. I surrender this stronghold to You. Where I am weak, You are strong. Begin Your work of freedom in me today. Amen.
Day 4:The Path to Peace
Devotional: Peace—we all want it, yet it often seems elusive. We chase it through achievements, relationships, possessions, or experiences, but true peace remains just beyond our grasp. Why? Because we're looking for it in the wrong places. Genuine peace isn't found in perfect circumstances but in perfect trust. It's not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in the midst of trouble. And according to Psalm 85, it's intimately connected with righteousness: "Righteousness and peace have kissed." This connection reveals something profound: peace flows from right relationship with God. When we align our lives with His will and ways, peace follows naturally. It's not something we achieve through effort but something we receive through surrender. The closer we draw to God, the more His peace permeates our lives. This proximity isn't about physical distance but spiritual intimacy—knowing Him, trusting Him, and walking with Him daily. As we cultivate this relationship, we discover that peace isn't just a fleeting feeling but a steady state of being, regardless of external circumstances.
Bible Verse
"Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." - Psalm 85:10
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you experiencing a lack of peace? How might this be connected to areas where you need to realign with God's righteousness?
Quote "I believe that the peace of God is connected to proximity with God."
Prayer
Prince of Peace, I confess that I've often sought peace in all the wrong places. Today, I choose to seek it in You alone. Show me where my life is out of alignment with Your righteousness, and give me the courage to make necessary changes. Draw me closer to You, knowing that in Your presence is fullness of joy and perfect peace. Amen.
Day 5:Restoration and Redemption
Devotional: Life doesn't always unfold as we plan. We face disappointments, make mistakes, and sometimes waste precious time on paths that lead nowhere. Looking back, we may feel regret over lost years or missed opportunities. But here's the beautiful truth: God is in the restoration business. Psalm 23 tells us that "He restores my soul." This restoration isn't just spiritual—it's comprehensive. God can redeem what seems irredeemable, restore what seems lost forever, and create new beginnings from apparent endings. Even when circumstances seem beyond repair, God specializes in making all things new. He doesn't just patch up our brokenness; He transforms it into something beautiful and purposeful. The years you thought were wasted? He can restore them. The mistakes you can't undo? He can redeem them. The pain that seems pointless? He can use it. This doesn't mean God erases our past, but rather that He incorporates it into His greater story of redemption. Our scars become testimonies. Our failures become lessons. Our losses become gateways to deeper compassion and wisdom.
Bible Verse
"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake." - Psalm 23:3
Reflection Question
What area of your life feels most in need of God's restoration? What would it look like to fully trust Him with this broken piece?
Quote "God redeems the time, the Bible says in the book of Joel. He even restores to us the years that the locusts have eaten. God can restore lost years. He can redeem time."
Prayer
God of restoration, I bring before You the broken pieces of my life—the regrets, the losses, the wasted time. I believe You can redeem what seems irredeemable and restore what seems lost forever. Help me trust Your redemptive work even when I can't see it happening. Thank You that my story isn't over and that Your restoration is always possible. In Jesus' name, amen.