Doug Van Pelt

The Lord Delivers

Psalm 34 is my favorite (sometimes it's kinda trite to have a favorite passage, but nevertheless, I'm drawn to it). It is so rich with descriptions of God's goodness and care for us.

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them."

This is a comforting fact. One of my favorite Arkangel songs ("Warrior") includes that line. I hope to someday talk to angels and have conversations, perhaps, with angels that have intervened in my life to rescue me. I imagine they might have some interesting stories to tell.

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

That is a very special reminder to me. Of all the times when our souls long for His companionship, it is probably greatest when we are brokenhearted. The Leslie Phillips song, "By My Spirit," references that verse. I remember a day in college where things weren't going right. I can't remember what happened, but I came to a cool hangout at the time -- The Rock Christian bookstore in Dobie Mall near the UT campus. I said hello to Donna, who owned the shop with her husband, Greg. They had a place in the back, which used to be a dressing room for a Gap store or something like that. The dressing booths were makeshift prayer booths, and there was a table and some chairs. I asked her if she'd put on that song for me, and I went back there and had a good cry. It's funny, that was probably in 1984 or 1985, yet I can vividly remember that event. I remember feeling God's healing balm, and gaining confidence that He so cared for me and any troubles I was going through.

"I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together."

When I have taken this on as my motto, I have been much happier. While I don't think it wise to base my faith on the experiences I've had with the Lord; nor do I trust emotions to guide me; but I appreciate feelings, and senses, and my whole being (of which emotions are an essential part). Knowing that when I've had a praise-filled attitude has made me much happier in the past is a great motivator to fill my lips with praise. It's funny, though, that filling my lips with praise is never really based on selfish motivations (to be happier). If my actions ever start out that way, they quickly change in focus as I realize and acknowledge how great God truly is. The joy that comes from worship is a natural by-product of knowing God and being known by Him.

I wish I could convince many others to embrace God. I wish that, when I encountered people with very strange and silly ideas about God and His people that I could straighten them out. It's sad to see someone robbed of a great thing due to arrogance or just believing a lie. If nothing other than my experience alone, I would try to talk everyone in the world who doesn't know Him to embrace Him. I really believe that, if I found out at the end of days that there was no God or no Heaven waiting for me, that I would be glad for the life I lived. For me, a relationship with an invisible God is most rewarding and a worthy life to live. I don't entertain thoughts of there not being a God. He has made Himself too real for me to doubt Him and His presence. But I can't really use that (my experience) to convince others to follow Him. Perhaps this concern and this love will motivate me to live in such a way that will at least reinforce any messages I speak; and I hope that I can share something worthwhile when given the chance.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 5, 2005 08:36 AM