Psalm 34:4-10

Verse 4

How does the Lord deliver us from our fears

First and foremost by us seeking Him in our fears, trials, struggles

The word for sought is not like seeking a runaway dog where you do not know where they are

It is seeking while knowing exactly where the Lord is!

In the OT it was through the Urim and Thummim or through a prophet

Today it is through prayer and the Word of God

Verse 5

By building an identity that gets it’s significance from God, not our accomplishments, our family, our projected righteousness, our self-worth

By a life that looks to the Lord

How do we develop an identity like that?

I don’t know if you are familiar with the phrase that the Lord “saves, keeps, and satisfies” but it is more than a Christian expression

It is biblical truth

It comes from these verses in Psalm 34

And this is how we develop that type of identity

An identity that glories in God regardless the circumstance.

Verses 6-8

He saves

THis poor man cried-

In a specific instance of trouble he calls and God hears and continues His saving work.

I want us to notice something nit-picky here

Notice that David is saying that the Lord saved him out of his troubles.

Now notice with me that he does not say that the Lord saves him from troubles.

There really is a big difference between the two

One brings comfort and the other brings holiness

Being saved from troubles brings comfort

Being saved out of troubles brings holiness

Verse 7

He keeps

The word that David uses for angel here does not just mean one angel but many…David is talking about an encampment of angels surrounding him for protection.

Verses 8-10

He satisfies

Verse 8 sets the tone for verses 9-10

Some life experiences are sour…like sucking on a lemon

Or like a cup of coffee…sometimes it is just bitter and hard to drink.

The worst cup of coffee I have drank in my life was in a church…I do not want that to be the case here

Can bitter foods and drinks be satisfying?

YES....chocolate!!!!!

I remember my mom consenting after much begging to allow me to have some bakers chocolate

Sugar makes a HUGE difference

The bakers chocolate alone was bitter

When tasted with a little sugar it was delicious

Verse 10 ties again back to verse 4

Seeking the Lord

In the experiences of life

Trials, temptations, difficulties

Are you seeking the Lord

Or are you seeking your own glory?

Sometimes life experiences are bitter because we are leaving out the most important ingredient…THE LORD.

When we taste the Lord in the experiences of life, they become sweet in Him.

So whatever we are facing…when the Lord is in it and He is our focus it can be palatable

It can even be sweet.

Prayer

Lord, my anxieties, shame, and discouragement come when I try to boast in me rather than your goodness and love toward me. Teach me to look to you and seek after you until I glory in you to the exclusion of myself. Amen