Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
17 “The LORD hears HIS people when they call to HIM for help. HE rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; HE rescues those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. 20 For the LORD protects them from harm – not one of their bones will be broken! 21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be punished.” ~ Psalm 34:17-21
We often wish we could escape troubles and the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. GOD promises to be “close to the brokenhearted” and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes HE chooses to deliver us from those problems. When trouble strikes, do not get frustrated with GOD. Instead, we should admit that we need GOD’s help and thank HIM for being by our side.
Verse twenty is a prophecy about Christ when He was crucified. Although it was the Roman custom to break legs of the victim to speed death, not one of Jesus’ bones was broken. – 31 “The Jewish leaders did not want the victims hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath at that, because it was Passover), so they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was dead already, so they did not break His legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. 35 This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account; it is presented so that you also can believe. 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of His bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on Him whom they pierced.” – John 19:31-37 – The Roman soldiers were experienced in crucifixions. They knew from many previous crucifixions whether a man was dead or alive. There was no question that Jesus was dead when they checked Him, so they decided not to break His legs as they had done to the other victims. Piercing His side and seeing the sudden flow of blood and water (indicating that the sac surrounding the heart and the heart itself had been pierced) was further proof of Jesus’ death. The reason for breaking the victims’ legs was to hasten the process of death. When a person hung on the cross, death came by suffocation, but the victim could push against the cross with his legs to hold his body up and therefore he could keep breathing. With broken legs, he would suffocate almost immediately.
In addition to the prophetic meaning of Psalm 34:20, David was pleading for GOD’s protection in times of crises. GOD pays attention to those who call on HIM. Whether HE offers escape from trouble or help in times of trouble, we can be certain that HE always hears us and acts on behalf of those who love HIM. – “But the LORD will redeem those who serve HIM. Everyone who trusts in HIM will be freely pardoned.” – Psalm 34:22
Thank YOU Father GOD. Those who serve YOU and trust in YOU – are freely pardoned. Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus. YOU hear us when we call to YOU for help. YOU rescue us from all our troubles. YOU are close to the brokenhearted and YOU rescue those who are crushed in spirit. Even though we face many troubles, YOU, Father GOD rescue us from each and every one. Thank YOU LORD for protecting us from harm. Calamity will surely overtake the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be punished. YOU are our source of power, courage, and wisdom LORD, and YOU help us through our problems. Sometimes YOU choose to deliver us from those problems and sometimes our problems are designed to help us learn & grow. But, when trouble strikes, we will not get frustrated with YOU, Father GOD. Instead, we will admit that we need YOUR help and then we will thank YOU for being by our side.
Photo: Smoky Mountain National Park (Tennessee)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
