My lectio divina this morning found root in Psalm 34, and as usual, God's voice rang loud and clear. Many of the verses stuck out to me and formed a collage with a message: sometimes we can fall into the trap of seeing God as a cruel taskworker, as someone who simply demands obedience because He can, or we see God as a stoic God who is unfeeling and emotionless, whose love towards us is entirely political and because-He-has-to. But God told me in Psalm 34, "No, that's not the way it is at al!! I do require obedience, but the emotions you experience are the same I experience, and My love for you is not political, it is real and honest and true!"

God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. - v. 4

Look at him, give him your warmest smile, never hide your feelings from him. - v. 5

When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. - v. 6

God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan. - v. 15

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. - v. 17

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. - v. 18

Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. - v. 19

He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. - v. 20

And perhaps my favorite:

God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out. - v. 22