Praising the Light - Ps 34
Praising the Light
Of the World
Vesper Services
November 26, 2006
Text:
Ps. 34: 1-10
Introduction:
Sometimes, when we are placed in bad situations, we find that we make some bad decisions. Sometimes, we are placed in bad situations by others, sometimes; we alone are responsible for the situations in which we find ourselves. In any case, bad situations will either bring out the best or the worse of a person.
To fully understand the passage in Psalm 34, we have to give our attentions to I Samuel 21. David, the author of Psalm 34, penned this chapter while in a bad situation.
1. David had been called, appointed, and anointed as the next King of Israel.
2. He had killed the tormentor of the Israelites, Goliath with a small stone.
3. He had defeated many enemies of Israel in battle after battle and become the choice of the people over their current King, Saul.
4. David had become a part of Saul’s household, having married his daughter, Michal, and being best friends with Saul’s son, Jonathan.
5. David had learned a dark secret, his father-in-law wanted him dead. – Expound - about being around people who hate you or are jealous of you.
David decides to run from Saul. Even though David had been called to serve in Judah, he decided to run, to move. God arranges circumstances in order to bless us, but we are a people of rearrangement. – Expound -
David runs: to Nob and the priest; to Gath of the Philistines and from Achish, Abemilech; to the caves of Adullam and to Moab.
Be lies to the priest about his presence in Nob; he is afraid of the King in Gath; and he reflects in the caves of Adullam.
Because of his great fear of King Achist, David changes his behavior; acts insane. When you find your self in places that you don’t belong, you are more apt to take on a different behavior; change your actions and try to be someone or something that you aren’t.
David loses faith and become for a while more frightened of man than he had fear of God. Leaving your natural order will afford you opportunities of living in caves, hiding out from life and its situations. Caves, that only shelter you from the Light, the Light that will lead you and guide you to safety; the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
There are three things that we can witness and learn from David in the 34th Psalm. Even in his time of trouble, even when he faltered for a while, even in fear and failure, he was able to find reason to praise the Lord, the Light of the world. We see that David offered:
Constant Praise (1) confessing Praise (2) and complete Praise(3)
Constant Praise:
v. 1
Because God saves him from his fears (v4)
Because God saves him from his failure (v4-6)
Because God saves him from his foes (7)
Confessing Praise: - hearty praise
v. 2
He boasts because of his relationship to Him
He boasts because of his interest in Him
He boasts because of his expectations from Him
Complete Praise: - open praise
v. 3-7
Because He heard him
Because others looked to Him and saw the light
Because He saves the poor and encamps around those who fear Him
Conclusion:
v. 8
Taste and see for yourselves
He is good
Trust Him and be happy
Walk in the Light
The beautiful light
Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright
Shine all around me by day and by night
Jesus, the light of the world