A Jail Cell. A Tragedy. A Supernatural Forgiveness.
A Reflection of a Father Who Delivered in the Storm - Psalm 34
Psalm 34:19 — “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
Yesterday, I heard an incredible story from a brother in Christ who went on a four-day mission trip inside a prison. He shared how they ministered to men—some with life sentences—and how God moved powerfully through them.
One of his stories stuck out to me.
A man serving time had tragically taken a young girl's life while driving drunk. But the most shocking part of the story was not his sentence—it was the father of that girl.
Instead of choosing hatred or revenge, the father forgave him. Not only that—he asked the judge to drop the charges. The judge couldn’t, legally. But the inmate has now served over ten years with the unexplained truth hanging over his head:
He was radically, undeservedly forgiven.
And the inmate understood this because the father of the dead girl would minister to him every year in prison. No human strength could do that.
Only a supernatural, Christlike strength could release that kind of mercy.
This father resembled David-like faith amid troubles. How in the world did he do this?
What Psalm 34:19 Actually Says
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
— Psalm 34:19
Let’s break this down:
1. Trouble Will Come
The Hebrew word for troubles is ra'ot — adversity, affliction, or hardship. Internal and external. Emotional or physical. Financial or spiritual.
It’s not if you’ll face trouble. It’s when.
David, the writer of this psalm, wasn’t sitting on a throne when he penned these words. He was pretending to be insane to escape an enemy king. He was on the run, betrayed, and broken.
This verse isn’t a prosperity promise.
It’s a reality check with a rescue clause.
2. Deliverance Doesn’t Always Mean Escape
The Hebrew word for “deliver” is natsal — which means to rescue, snatch away, or preserve. God doesn’t always pull you out of the storm…
Sometimes, He carries you through it.
Deliverance may look like:
Healing,
Peace in the chaos,
Or even the resurrection on the other side of death.
With God, you cannot lose.
3. Trouble Refines the Righteous
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”
— Romans 8:28
Every hardship becomes holy when it's handed to God.
Psalm 34 is a song of worship in the middle of fear.
This verse is not about avoiding pain — it’s about God’s presence in pain.
God doesn’t waste trials. He uses them to refine the ones He loves.
4. Jesus Is the Fulfillment of This Verse
Jesus was perfectly righteous. And yet, He faced extreme hardship and troubles every day:
Misunderstood by His family,
Hunted by the religious elite,
Betrayed by friends,
Beaten, mocked, and crucified.
Yet because of Him, every trouble we face is temporary.
Even death has lost its sting.
This is what Psalm 34:19 ultimately points to: Jesus.
So, How Did Jesus Endure Daily Trouble?
He didn’t do it accidentally.
He had habits that preserved His intimacy with the Father.
Here are Seven Daily Habits of Jesus that helped Him remain unshaken in a broken world:
1. Early Morning Solitude with the Father
“Very early in the morning… Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
— Mark 1:35
Jesus prioritized quiet time with God before the world woke up.
He didn’t start with noise, demands, or to-do lists — He started with presence.
Never Finished Challenge:
Start your day with presence, not performance. Prayer before pressure. Get in the word and live purposefully in the world.
2. Prayer Before Every Major Decision
“He went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
— Luke 6:12 (before choosing the 12 disciples)
Prayer wasn’t a backup plan — it was His battle plan.
Jesus didn’t move unless He first aligned.
Never Finished Challenge:
Before you act, abide. Prayer tunes your spirit to God’s voice, not your own impulse.
3. Scripture Saturation
“It is written…” — Jesus in every temptation (Matthew 4:1–11)
“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17
Jesus knew Scripture deeply — not just for defense, but for direction.
He lived by it, quoted it, prayed it.
Never Finished Challenge:
If the living Word lived by the written Word… so should we. Order some index cards and write scripture on them and take them everywhere you go.
4. Fasting and Focus
“After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
— Matthew 4:2
Fasting wasn’t punishment — it was preparation.
It created space for total dependence on the Father and resistance against the flesh.
Never Finished Challenge:
Try a weekly fast — from food, comfort, or distractions — to focus your spirit.
5. Intentional Rest and Withdrawal
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
— Luke 5:16
Jesus withdrew not because He was weak, but because He was wise.
Rest wasn’t laziness — it was how He stayed aligned.
Never Finished Challenge:
Discipline includes rest. Stillness resets your soul to God’s pace.
6. Obedience in Every Step
“I only do what I see the Father doing.”
— John 5:19
Jesus lived in constant spiritual awareness, watching for the Father’s leading.
His intimacy was not just in words but in action.
Never Finished Challenge:
Ask: “Father, what are You doing today — and how can I join You?”
7. Unshakable Identity
“You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.”
— Luke 3:22
Before miracles, before ministry, Jesus stood firm in His Father’s affirmation.
His identity was received, not achieved.
Never Finished Challenge:
Your relationship with God is not based on your performance but your position in Christ.
I don’t know the habits of the dad who lost his daughter, but I imagine they would be similar to the seven points above.
Without God's daily presence, troubles become trauma. But practicing His presence will always turn troubles into triumph for you and everyone around you.
Remember, as you pursue God for a relationship, the habits start to become an organic and permanent part of your life. Don’t follow the ways of Jesus first. As God, then follow the ways of Jesus.
What Does This Today Say About God?
God makes sense of what doesn’t make sense.
In His timing. In His way.
And either way — whether He rescues you quickly or carries you through a season of pain — you win.
If you have to wait? Your character grows.
If He answers quickly? Your faith deepens.
If nothing changes? His nearness still transforms everything.
You win every time you get into His presence.
What a loving Father.
What a patient King.
What a Creator.
Thank You, Jesus.