Welcome to Day 2492 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2492 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 31:19-24 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2492 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2492 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, as we continue our exploration of Psalm 31. Today’s passage, Psalm 31:19-24, takes us from a place of distress to one of praise and confidence in God’s goodness. In the previous verses, we saw how David poured out his heart to God, pleading for mercy and rescue amid his pain and danger. In these final verses of the psalm, David shifts his focus. He celebrates God’s goodness, faithfulness, and protection, encouraging all who trust in the Lord to take courage and place their hope in Him. Let’s read Psalm 31:19-24 from the New Living Translation, and then we’ll break it down verse by verse. Psalm 31:19-24 (NLT) 19 How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues. 21 Praise the Lord, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. 22 In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But You heard my cry for  mercy and answered my call for help. 23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him, but He harshly punishes the arrogant. 24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! The Goodness of God (Verses 19-20): David begins this final section of the psalm with a powerful declaration of God’s goodness: “How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world” (verse 19). After pouring out his heart in the earlier verses, expressing his fears, pain, and distress, David now turns to praise, acknowledging the abundant goodness of God. God’s goodness isn’t something that’s merely experienced in the abstract or on rare occasions. It’s stored up, waiting for those who fear the Lord and come to Him for protection. There’s an image here of God’s goodness as a treasure, something He’s carefully reserved and prepared for those who seek refuge in Him. This isn’t a meager or stingy supply—it’s lavish, overflowing, and abundant. David also mentions that this blessing is given “before the watching world.” God’s faithfulness to His people is evident to others. When we trust in the Lord, His goodness and favor in our lives serve as a testimony to those around us. The way God cares for His people shines like a beacon, showing His greatness to the world. Verse 20 continues this theme: “You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues.” This is such a beautiful image of God’s protection. David describes God’s presence as a shelter, a place where we can find safety from our enemies and those who would seek to harm us. It’s not just physical enemies that David refers to, though. He also speaks of being protected from “accusing tongues.” Words can be incredibly powerful—they can wound, accuse, and destroy. But in God’s presence, we are shielded from these attacks. His protection is complete, not only guarding us from physical harm but also from the emotional and spiritual damage that can come from lies, gossip, and slander. This is a reminder for us today that when we seek refuge in God, He doesn’t just offer us temporary relief or surface-level comfort. His protection is deep, shielding us in ways we might not even see. When we rest in Him, we are truly safe. A Heart of Gratitude (Verses 21-22): In verses 21 and 22, David moves from acknowledging God’s goodness to expressing his deep gratitude for how God has personally delivered him: “Praise the Lord, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack.” David’s response to God’s protection is one of praise. He recognizes that God’s love is not just a general, distant love but something deeply personal. God’s love is “unfailing,” meaning it never falters, no matter the situation. God kept him safe even when David’s city was under attack—whether that refers to a literal battle or the overwhelming pressures he felt. This shows us that David’s relationship with God wasn’t just about seeking help in times of trouble; it was also about recognizing and celebrating the ways God had already shown up in his life. Gratitude is essential to faith. When we take the time to reflect on how God has been faithful in the past, it strengthens our trust in Him for the future. In verse 22, David reflects on a moment of panic: “In panic I cried out, ‘I am cut off from the Lord!’ But You heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help.” This is such a relatable verse. In moments of fear and distress, it’s easy to feel like God is far away, as though He’s not hearing our prayers or that we’ve somehow been separated from His presence. But David acknowledges that even in those moments when he felt “cut off,” God was still listening. He heard David’s cry for mercy and responded. This is a reminder that God is never truly distant from us. Even when our emotions tell us that He’s far away, the truth is that He’s always near, always listening, and always ready to respond when we call out to Him. How often do we find ourselves in situations where panic sets in, and we feel disconnected from God? David’s experience encourages us to believe God is attentive to our cries for help, even in our darkest moments. He hears us, even when we think He doesn’t, and He responds with mercy and love. A Call to Love and Courage (Verses 23-24): David’s personal reflections lead him to call out to others in verses 23 and 24: “Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him, but He harshly punishes the arrogant.” This is an invitation and a declaration. David calls all of God’s people—those who are faithful and godly—to love the Lord. Why? Because the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him. David has experienced God’s protection firsthand, and now he’s encouraging others to recognize that same truth. If we are loyal to God, if we remain faithful to Him, He will be our protector. But David also warns that the arrogant—those who rely on themselves or oppose God—will face consequences. God is a God of justice, and while He is merciful and loving to those who seek Him, He also holds the proud and wicked accountable. Finally, David closes with this powerful exhortation in verse 24: “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” What a fitting conclusion to this psalm. David has moved from distress and fear to trust, gratitude, and now encouragement. This call to be strong and courageous echoes throughout Scripture. We see it when God speaks to Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:9). We see it again when Paul encourages the Corinthians to stand firm in their faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). And here, David reminds us that courage and strength are not found in our own abilities but in putting our hope in the Lord. When we place our hope in God, we can confidently face any situation. We can be strong, knowing that He is our refuge, and we can be courageous, knowing He will never abandon us. Conclusion: As we wrap up our reflection on Psalm 31:19-24, we see a beautiful journey of faith. David began this psalm in deep distress, crying out to God for mercy and deliverance. But through it all, his heart remained fixed on the goodness and faithfulness of God. He knew that, no matter the circumstances, God’s love was unfailing, and His protection was sure. These final verses remind us that God’s goodness is stored up for us, His people. He is our refuge, our shelter, and the One who hears our cries for help, even in our moments of panic and fear. And because of this, we are called to love Him, trust Him, and be strong and courageous as we place our hope in Him. I encourage you to meditate on these verses in the coming days and to consider how God’s goodness and love have been at work in your life. No matter what you may be facing, remember that God is with you, protecting you, and guiding you every step of the way. Thank you for joining me today on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. Until next time, may God’s peace and strength guide you on your journey toward wisdom. Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!