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Embrace the New Year with Psalm 34: Taste and See the Goodness · UCT Youth Daily Devotion

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  Greetings to you on this beautiful day. Welcome to the first episode of our
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  United Church of Tonga Youth Daily Devotion for 2025.
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  Today is the 1st of January. Our daily reading is taken from Psalm 34 and today's
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  devotion is based on verse 8.
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  Psalm 34 verse 8 it says,
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  The theme for today is Praise the Lord, O my soul.
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  Praise His holy name. As we enter this new year, we often strive to improve
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  our lifestyles through resolutions.
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  Whether starting a new diet, setting goals, or changing our outlook on life.
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  Some embrace the challenges ahead with eagerness, while others may feel uncertain.
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  Shaped by last year's experiences which may not have been the best.
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  Today's psalm was written by David, expressing his gratitude for God's deliverance in his life.
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  He composed the psalm after escaping from Abimelech by pretending to be insane,
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  as we learn in 1 Samuel 21 10-15.
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  At that moment, David may have felt trapped and feared for his life,
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  which prompted him to act as if he were mad.
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  Understandably, he experienced significant stress, not knowing what to do in a dire situation.
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  Facing a near-death experience, he cried out to God for salvation.
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  God answered his prayer.
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  David here recognizes the goodness of his God, which is why he encourages us
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  to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
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  Last year we may not have been fully committed to developing a closer relationship with God.
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  Perhaps we didn't take our relationship with God seriously.
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  We might have thought that we were too young to engage profoundly.
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  Or we may have believed that such commitment was meant only for older individuals.
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  David's message reminds us to explore our relationship with God and experience
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  His goodness for ourselves, regardless of age.
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  God's love and grace are for everyone, and He desires a relationship with you today. Let us pray.
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  Lord Jesus, help me to taste and see that you are good. Amen.