Photo taken in Colorado.

Written by Elton Streyle, photography and editing by Ali

Loving Father, thank you for the encouragement You give in Psalm 34. It is comforting that in the difficult times in life, You do not get tired of me coming to you with any and all of my problems. “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalm 34:6-9

In fact, You ask me to bring everything to You so that You will be glorified. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15. It is a great privilege as a believer to know that You are more powerful than anyone or anything in the world that will try to hurt or destroy me. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Father, develop in me a clear conviction that I can’t live a spiritually reckless life and expect to continue receiving Your many blessings. However, I do thank You that when someone goes down the wrong road, You are always waiting for them to come back so that You can continue to bless them. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1  John 1:9.

On a daily basis, teach me how to grow in my personal relationship with You through Your Word, prayer, music, and Christian fellowship. Like David in Psalm 34:17, I call out to You to be continually counted among the righteous so that I can experience the power in Psalm 34:7, “the angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

I bring these requests in Jesus’ Name, Amen.