Today's Verse - Psalm 34:21

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

—Psalm 34:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God has promised a closing time for everyone who has ever lived. It will be a reckoning where human power and influence cannot blot out the truth and where each person who has ever lived will have to face what they have done, whether good or evil. Evil will overtake those who have been partnered with evil. Their hatred and wickedness will come back upon them. God will not allow righteousness, truth, and justice to be short-circuited, perverted, or forgotten! "Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned."

My Prayer...

Father, thank you for making me clean and whole by the purifying work of your Holy Spirit. Please train me to live righteously. Help me develop a revulsion for what is sinful and evil. Use me, please, to help others caught in the evil one's work to escape and find deliverance in the LORD Jesus. In the name of my Savior, the one who died for all people to be able to come to you, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 34:19-20

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

—Psalm 34:19-20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We know that the righteous can have troubles, but how do we understand that God delivers us from them all? How do we know that he protects all our bones, especially in light of recent tragedies and the persecution of believers in many places in the world?
Paul demonstrates the answer: he was confident that whatever happened to him would turn out for his deliverance. He would either be delivered THROUGH his death to be with God or delivered from FROM death through his release from prison to continue ministry (Philippians 1:19-23). Our deliverance, because of Jesus, is secure. We are conquerors in Christ. He's coming back for us. If we die now, we go to be with Christ. So, nothing Satan can do to us will steal us away from God's love, not even suffering and death (Romans 8:32-39).

My Prayer...

Father, please give me the faith I need to believe that whatever happens in my life will not steal me away from your love but will deliver me into your presence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 34:18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

—Psalm 34:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The LORD is near (Philippians 4:5).

How do we know?

He promised his people this long ago and kept his promise. He drew near to us in the manger with Jesus. He walked among us in ministry as Jesus touched, healed, blessed, raised, mended, and loved. He suffered with us, and for us, in Jesus' Passion. Many of us have experienced his nearness in tragedy, trial, heartbreak, and brokenness as he drew near to us to save us. Others of us have experienced his presence as we sought to share the message of Jesus, as he gave us words through the Holy Spirit and strength and courage to stand up to those who opposed us.

The bigger questions are these:

• Will our hearts be open to him and his presence?
• Will we seek him and ask him to draw near?
• Will we obey him and invite him to live in our daily lives?

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

O LORD, please be near me today. Make your presence known in my life. Father, I also ask that you bless those I know who are struggling with their faith and with broken and disappointed hearts. They feel so alone. Please be active in their lives and make your presence known in tangible ways to sustain them in their times of trial. In Jesus' name, I ask you to fulfill this promise in people who are precious to me. Amen.