When do you feel like praising the Lord? Maybe on a bright, sunshiny day when you’re walking through a meadow of bright wildflowers. Perhaps while standing on the ocean’s shore, or looking to the sky on a crisp, clear night. We can easily praise Him when things are going fine, but what about when they aren’t? Our psalm today was written by David when he was in danger, and his life was at risk. Yet throughout the psalm he speaks of God’s deliverance and care of His children. Let’s take a look
The circumstances surrounding the writing of this psalm is found in I Samuel 21:10-15, when David had fled into the country of the Philistines, and had taken refuge with King Abimelech (also known as Achish). However, some of the men in Abimelech’s court remind him that David had previously fought and won many battles against them, and that he can’t be trusted. Before they can lock him up and maybe kill him, David pretends to be crazy, and they let him go back into his own country. Not safe in his own country because of Saul, not safe in another country. Where can he find peace and rest? Who could praise God then? David could, and he knows we can, too.
David begins the psalm in verse one with the testimony that he will praise God at all times, continually. Not just when things are going great, not only on the bright sun-shiny, flower-filled days, but when things are going terrible, as well. Can we also say that? Do we praise and bless the Lord only when things are good and pleasant? How about when we are in a financial crisis, or in critically ill health, or after the death of loved ones? David tells us here, praising and blessing are to always come forth from us. It should be continual, not just in the good times. This is something he not only instructed, he lived it as well.
Sometimes our trials may seem insurmountable. However, God is greater than any trial we may face. David called upon the Lord during his dark days, and found deliverance (vs. 4). He turned to Him, and was never sent away ashamed (vs. 5). God pays attention to those who call upon Him. Whether He offers escape from the trouble, or helps us through the dark times, we can be certain that He always hears and acts on behalf of those who love Him. We need to stop focusing on our difficulties, but instead, view everything through God’s Word and His promises. Our problems will diminish, and God’s magnificence will grow.
David could look throughout his life and tell of innumerable times when God delivered him from serious danger. He could recount times from his early days of being a shepherd and the dangers of wild animals, all the way through his final years as king, when his enemies came against him. David knew God sent angels to protect him (vs. 7). There could be many times when we have been protected or delivered from harm through the help of an angel assigned to guard us. We will never know in this life how many things we were protected from by the angels assigned to us, such as fires, vehicle accidents or other freak accidents, harm from criminals, etc. David knew there were countless times God protected him when he otherwise could have been killed, and he never stopped praising Him for that.
As our portion of Psalm 34 ends, David invites everyone to come and give God a try (vs. 8). Have you ever had a friend or relative invite you to try out some food that you might have been hesitant to eat? “Come on, try it!” they say to us. They’ve tried it and found they liked it, and want us to enjoy it, too. David has experienced God’s love, His blessings, His deliverance and care, and he wants others to also enjoy a relationship with Him.
How about you? God has so much better to bless us with than the world has to offer. When we see what He has to give us, why would anyone want to continue to pick through the world’s garbage? Instead, come to God’s table. His invitation is opened to you!
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