Psalm 34:11
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

The writer of this passage in the psalm is confidant in their ability to instruct another on how to deeply reverence the LORD. I think this is a strong statement and there is a lot to live up to for one to say this. I believe that someone’s life can best instruct another on how to fear the LORD. I envision that teaching someone to fear the LORD requires much humility and integrity and spiritual fruit. As I reflect on this passage and the principles that have been taught in this psalm, I can see how teaching someone the fear of the LORD involves teaching them to pray and seek the LORD with all diligence. I think it also involves stressing to someone that being pure of heart is also integral to communing with ELOHIM to receive and live with the fear of the LORD.

In 2015, I wrote a book called, Prayer BLUEprint™: The Experience, to provide basic understanding regarding prayer and to share part of my testimony. 

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Psalm 34:10
The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

When I consider today’s passage I think about the lack of maturity in a young lion. I remember seeing a documentary that followed a lion pride. The oldest lioness led her younger female companions in greeting a young lion because in their youth none of them knew what to do to establish their pride. Through her experience and wisdom the oldest lioness was able to show the other adult lions in the pride how to survive and protect themselves from other lions external to their pride who may attempt to take over the pride (which involved killing any young cubs because the lion would only want his progeny).

As I reflected on this passage tonight, I saw how I have not always been respectful of mature leaders around me for various reasons. 

Psalm 34:9
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want.
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It’s so interesting to know just how much Psalm 34 talks about the fear of the LORD. Truly, the only thing or person that anyone should fear is ELOHIM who is able to not only destroy the body, but also the soul. More importantly, the Almighty’s majesty, love, truth, splendor and glory certainly position me and others to fear the LORD. When I think of the fear of the LORD, I consider it to be a deep reverence for God. This fear is not paralyzing like the fear of the enemy or the fear of man or the fear of the unknown. This fear is sobering and it causes one to be in awe of the character, knowledge and ways of ELOHIM. I believe that I can benefit from more of the fear of the LORD. I desire a deeper walk with the LORD for a stronger relationship between me and my Beloved. I desire to seek the LORD’s face, not the hand of the LORD. I believe the difference is knowing...

Psalm 34:8
​O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

I remember growing up listening to a gospel song by the Pace Sisters. They sang and compared the goodness of the LORD to various pop culture items. For example, they adlibbed during a bridge of song “Jesus Loves Me” that the LORD is better than Coca Cola because “He is the real thing.” This song which was common to the Black Church in the 90’s helped the Body of Christ to understand that God is relatable, but to experience the LORD one must taste and see. I can attest just like the biblical author that the LORD is sweeter than the honey on the honeycomb.

Losses, challenges and triumph can all lend themselves to knowing that the LORD is good. I have experienced many losses and challenges, some of which were due to my conduct. Pain like the loss of a child or divorce or recovery from childhood trauma can be debilitating or numbing. I had to fight many days, but I am grateful for the season of peace and training and instructing that I am in. One thing that has remained the same since I was a young child is that I have found refuge in the LORD.