For almost a decade David ran from King Saul. At least three times Saul attempted to kill David but failed. With Israel no longer safe, David made the unusual decision to flee to the land of his enemies, the Philistines. Surely, he thought, Saul wouldn’t dare pursue him there. Yet in Gath, Goliath's own hometown, David was recognized almost immediately. To escape death, David pretended to be insane. According to 1 Samuel 21:13, he pounded his head on the city gate and foamed at the mouth, while letting spit drip from his beard. King Achish demanded David be removed from his presence because he said he had enough insane people to deal with. David escaped once more and again fled.
Choosing Praise Over Complaining
In response to this David wrote Psalm 34. David could easily have done what most of us would do, he could have complained. David knew that he was God's anointed. He could have thought to himself, why is God making me run from Saul for so long? Why is God allowing me to be in harm's way so many times? Why can't I claim the kingdom that is mine? But no, David chose not to complain, instead he announces in Psalm 34:1 that he will bless the Lord "at all times."
Maybe we feel like we are overlooked by God or our plans have been unfairly delayed? David’s choice teaches us to respond with thankfulness, even when things don’t make sense. By choosing gratitude in difficult times, we acknowledge that God's timing is perfect. There is a reason we have to wait.
Praying and Persevering in Difficult Times
How often in our lives do we pray for blessings—great grades in school, a loving spouse, children, healing—but they don't come as fast as we want them to? We get discouraged. We want to give up. Notice that David doesn't just sit under a tree and expect God to do everything to protect him. No, David runs, hides and fights for many years. He actively participates in what he expected God to do. What about us? Do we expect to do well in school without putting out any effort, do we speak to people and go out with the expectation of meeting a future spouse, do we do all that we can to live healthy lives, do we seek alternatives to having biological children, like adoption?
Relying on God, Not Our Own Strength
David also might have considered himself to be quite clever. He could have believed that the idea of pretending to be insane was all his, and God had nothing to do with it. He could have believed that it was his strength, might, and abilities that kept Saul from killing him. But no, in Psalm 34:2, he says, "My soul shall make its boast in the Lord". It is God who has done this and it is God that David gives all the glory to for being saved from his enemies. It can be easy to credit ourselves for our successes, but David reminds us that true protection and guidance come from God. When we rely on God instead of ourselves, we have His strength that is with us to face any battle.
Learning to Wait on God’s Timing
Why did God make David wait so long and have so many close calls before finally allowing him to defeat Saul? Perhaps David was learning to wait on the Lord. Perhaps he was learning that his help comes from God and not from his own strength. Perhaps David was learning to, above all things, trust the promises of God. This lesson David certainly learned, because he tells us in God we can surely put our trust and be blessed (Psalm 34:8).
Overcoming Fear and Finding Faith
This was a hard time for David: harsh conditions, the constant stress of being on the run, not being able to trust very many people. This was David's training ground. This was the reason he was able to write the 23rd Psalm where he says, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me."
For most of us, it would have been a very fearful time, but not David. In Psalm 34:4, David says he sought God and God delivered him from all of his fears. Do we truly seek God when we are fearful? It seems like there is a lot to fear today, but if we seek God and He hears us, we have no need to feel fear. We are warned not to have a "spirit of fear"(2 Timothy 1:7). Overcoming fear and finding faith requires trust.
When we trust God completely, we won't be fearful. Instead, we will be blessed (Psalm 34:8). David made a choice in the midst of his fear. He chose to trust God. Nothing had changed about his circumstances; he was still running from his enemies, but now after seeking God, David was delivered from his fear. And so can we.
Tasting and Seeing the Goodness of God
David tells us in Psalm 34:8:
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
David doesn't just want you to take his word for the fact that the Lord is good; he wants you to fully experience this goodness yourself. When we experience God's goodness for ourselves there will be no doubt left in our mind. In 1 Peter 2:2-3, we learn that tasting the goodness of the Lord allows us to grow spiritually.
Sharing God’s Goodness with Others
Our experiences of God's goodness make us want others to understand how gracious and loving He is. One of the best ways to witness to others is to share the ways God has blessed you. We sometimes need to remind even ourselves of God's goodness. Think of the many ways you have been blessed in your life: the times God has intervened for you without you even asking, and the beauty God has created on this earth that we experience every day.
Barnes Notes on the Bible says:
If those who are in danger would look to him; if sinners would believe in him; if the afflicted would seek him; if the wretched would cast their cares on him; if they who have sought in vain for happiness in the world, would seek happiness in him - they would, one and all, so surely find what they need that they would renounce all else, and put their trust alone in God.
The Fear of the Lord and Its Benefits
David says that it is important to fear the Lord because when we do, we won't lack any good thing. This is a good fear, something that is desirable. We need to understand God's character enough to be in awe of His power and majesty. We should respect His anger and wrath against sin. Those who learn to fear the Lord find peace and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). They are provided with security and safety (Proverbs 14:26).
Haven't you ever wondered what God really thinks wisdom is? Fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom according to Psalm 111:10. By learning to have a reverent fear of Him, it is easier to be guided by Him and gain a deeper understanding of His word.
Living Righteously and Finding Favor with God
The Lord sees and hears the righteous (Psalm 34:15). Who are the righteous? Those who guard their tongues from evil, who don't lie, who do good, and who seek peace. How do we speak? Do we use idle words? Do we twist and stretch the truth in lies? Are we too busy to do good for those around us? Do we like to stir things up or do we seek peace with others? In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul tells us that righteousness is obtained for us through Jesus's death on the cross. Our righteousness is His. We are His servants.
Redeemed and Proclaiming His Goodness
The souls of His servants will be redeemed, and there will be no condemnation for those who trust in Him (Psalm 34:22). The Lord's promises are trustworthy. Paul repeats this in Romans 8:1, when he says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Fanny Crosby wrote a song almost 140 years ago titled, "Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It". The first verse says this:
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
When we taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves, we will want to share Him with others. We will want to proclaim that we are redeemed and we will forever be His child. Bless His holy name!
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