Verse: Psalm 34:17-20
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Reflections – Psalm 34:17-20- God Hears Our Cries
When you’ve been stuck in the same difficult situation for a long time, or when one hardship after another keeps coming your way, it’s natural to feel frustrated and wonder if God is listening to your prayers. You might pray and cry out to the Lord for weeks or even months, hoping for a change, yet nothing seems to improve. Today’s reflection on Psalm 34:17-20 reminds us that God does hear the cries of the righteous. Notice the word “righteous.” It makes you wonder: how can one be considered righteous? Is it through our good deeds? Or by attending church every Sunday?
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:10 that none of us are inherently righteous. If that’s the case, how can we ever be righteous? Our sins prevent our good deeds from being enough to make us righteous. But there is good news! Jesus came to earth and died for our sins, and because of His selfless sacrifice, we are clothed in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become righteous. It is a gift given by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).
In the midst of your trials and suffering, how is your faith in God? Are things becoming so unbearable that you’re starting to lose faith, or are you still holding on to it?
Being righteous and having faith doesn’t mean that we won’t face troubles. Psalm 34:19-20 shows that even the righteous will encounter challenges, but they are never alone—the Lord is always there to protect them. God is always ready to deliver us and keep us safe. He shields us from harm and ensures that none of our bones will be broken—this is a metaphor for the physical and emotional pain we might endure.
Psalm 34:18 reassures us that God is especially close to us in our lowest moments. When we feel broken and overwhelmed by life’s difficulties, God is there to comfort and save us. He provides His love and support, helping us find strength and resilience to face adversity.
So, when you find yourself in a tough situation, remember to turn to God and cry out to Him for help. Trust that He hears your cries and that He will deliver you from all your troubles. May this reflection on Psalm 34:17-20 bring you peace, comfort, and strength, knowing that God is always with you.
Declaration
I declare that God hears my cries and is near to me in my times of trouble. Through faith in Jesus Christ, I am clothed in righteousness. Even in the midst of my trials, I am not alone, for the Lord is my protector and deliverer. I trust in His unfailing love and find strength and peace in His constant presence.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today, feeling weighed down by the trials and challenges that seem to never end. I confess that at times, I wonder if You hear my cries and if You are aware of my struggles. Yet, Your Word reassures me in Psalm 34:17-20 that You do hear the cries of the righteous and that You are near to the brokenhearted.
Lord, I know that on my own, I am not righteous. I am a sinner in need of Your grace. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins, so that through faith in Him, I am clothed in righteousness. It is by Your grace and through faith that I stand justified before You.
Help me, Father, to hold on to my faith, even when things seem unbearable. Remind me that being righteous and having faith in You does not mean that I will be free from troubles, but it does mean that I will never face them alone. You are my protector, my deliverer, and my shield.
In my lowest moments, when I feel broken and crushed by the weight of life’s challenges, draw near to me, Lord. Comfort me with Your presence, strengthen me with Your love, and give me the courage to keep trusting in You. Remind me that You are always with me, ready to deliver me from all my troubles.
Thank You for Your unfailing love, Your constant protection, and Your promise to never leave me or forsake me. Help me to find peace, comfort, and strength in knowing that You are always by my side.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen
