Have you ever watched a movie and realized that a character you thought was a good guy was really the worst of the bad guys? It’s even worse when the other characters don’t know the truth. You feel a pit in your stomach as you see one of your favorite characters run to someone she thinks is safe, only to find out she’s turned to the wrong person for help. You hope she figures out who’s truly on her side before it’s too late!
For the past month, we’ve walked through Psalm 34 together. We’ve seen how David praises the Lord in all circumstances, how the Lord delivers and provides, and how He heals broken hearts with His presence.
In the final verse of the psalm, we find the foundation of all the truth, thanksgiving, and praise of Psalm 34: None who take refuge in God will be condemned. When we run to Him for salvation, we won’t find out later that we’ve made a mistake. We’re safe in the grace and mercy of our Savior.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:19-22)
This psalm points us to Christ, the One who delivers us from death by His death. Our afflictions are many, but they are nothing compared to the affliction Jesus suffered on the cross as He bore the punishment our sin deserved.
Because He took God’s wrath for us, our Lord and Redeemer is now our safe refuge. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)! When you feel weighed down by affliction and fear, take refuge in the One who died to redeem your life.
No matter what you face this week, if God is your refuge, you will not be condemned.
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