Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Saturday, February 28, Psalm 34:18

Qoph: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

"For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." (1 Peter 3:17)

With the Beatitudes still fresh in mind, I went right to "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven", and "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

And then I continued in the passage from 1 Peter: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (3:18)

David also led by example. Though he was now rightfully king, he would not usurp the throne by force. He had two opportunities to slay Saul, once at Engedi (1 Samuel 24) and a second time at Ziph (1 Samuel 26). It's worth reading the last conversation between David and Saul:

David: "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation."

Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them."" (1 Samuel 26:24-25 ESV)

Saul had sought evil for David, but David sought good for Saul.

For us, this is a great teaching about perseverance. We see in the beginning of 2 Samuel, an Amalekite informed David of Saul's death and lied, saying that he killed him, thinking that David would reward him. Instead David said "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?" and had him executed." (1:14 ESV)

Now, not that Satan is God's anointed, but the principle is that we do not "Repay evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19 ESV)

Following this passage we see the discourse about how God avenges on this earth, which is through human government (Romans 13). This was established since the time of Noah.

We put on the "armor of God", "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Our armor is truth, righteousness, being ready to preach the gospel, faith, and the assurance of our salvation. Our sword is the Word of God, and we are "praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (6:18)

And in this present darkness we know that "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

And if you read further in that letter, you'll see that our answers to all things lie in the Holy Scriptures, so that's where we rest. And we rest with the assurance that no matter what we experience in this life, Christ has won the victory, and we are part of it. So,

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) For: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*KJV used*

Memory Helps

Qoph:

"The Lord is nigh unto THEM THAT
are OF A BROKEN HEART;
And SAVETH SUCH as
be OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT."

I always look for contrasts and similarities when first memorizing a verse. Here I saw the "double th" words (them that), and the "double s" words (saveth such),

Also the pairs of "of a Broken heart/of a Contrite spirit" (note "B" before "C").

First point to "The Lord", and then make word pictures out of "Broken heart" and "Contrite spirit". From that point the verse should flow pretty well.

I have my friend "Army DaVe" as my memory character for verses 18 (D=1, V=8, vowels fillers). I use Army to reinforce 18, since I was draft age at 18. He is "near" our "Singing Mare", comforting her because she has a broken heart and is "singing" a lament." I show the heart in the mare, and then show the "spirit" of Army Dave kneeling "contritely" and praying for the poor mare.

"Singing for Psalms", and M=3, R=4, vowels fillers for "MaRe", Psalm 34. So this way I link the sad picture to Psalm 34:18.