How Blessed We Are

How difficult these verses can be when we are encountering loss and trials and

our usual go-to is to focus on our troubles, not on the Lord. We are blessed as we take

refuge in the lord. David, the author of this and many psalms, writes that his misfortunes

may be many, but God brings us through all of them. Fear of the Lord is an awareness

being in the presence of the holy, not necessarily being fearful. It is a theme throughout

the Bible that fear of the Lord is to be in awe, living in harmony and honoring God in all

we do.

‘Taste and see’ is figurative language for ‘know by experience.’ Can you take a

few moments and reflect on how you have experienced the Lord, not only recently, but

throughout your life. For me, God is a faithful rescuer, an ever-present helper enabling

me to keep on keeping on, though not always comfortable or quick in shaping my

character or changing my circumstances. I took refuge and made the Lord my trust.

Learning to fear the Lord, meant to me in part to respect God enough that I choose to

do what is right and leave the results to Him.

According to the Bible Reader’s Companion, “Taste and see’ everywhere it is

used figuratively, taste suggests full participation in and/or experiencing of the things

enjoyed. Here the invitation to ‘taste and see’ that the Lord is good, is a call to rely fully

on Him and to experience the benefits of a personal relationship with God.” Can you

identify with this?

God does not ask you to travel alone. His presence goes before you into every

tomorrow, steadying you when the path is unclear. What overwhelms you is never

beyond His command and each step forward is held in His hand. When we need

courage and strength, God provides, we have only to ask and rely on Him. As a

caretaker, try not to let the challenges of the present or fear of the future or the pain of

the past cloud your vision.

On a personal level, I encourage you (as I need to recall) that we are only

‘human,’ we can admit our mistakes and talk about things through greater calm and

clarity. By being gentle and warm, we will be in a better emotional space to be there for

the person we love. As we are compassionate with ourselves, we can be with others.

Let us pray, Dear Lord, steady me when I step into the unknown. Remind me that You

are already there and with Your grace, “I have the strength for everything through Him

who empowers me.” (Philippians 4:13)