Psalm 34: Experiencing God Together

Introduction

The 48 lb watermelon - Staci had to have it - saw it on FB - comments about how sweet it was...

The influence of people matters - When you praise something, you influence people to try it… “You have to see this movie...” Or, “You have to go to this restaurant...” You tend to want to try it.

Does the way you live out your faith draw people to God or push people away from God?

A life of praising God is a powerful influence on other people.

Ps. 34 - David praising God and inviting us to experience God so we might praise Him as well.

If you have walked with God you have every reason to praise God, and God wants to use the experience you have with Him to lead others to praise Him.

Psalms are POWERFUL because David and other psalmists writing from personal experience.

You tend to listen to people who speak from experience.

People that you know need to see you enjoying God, experiencing God, and thanking God for what He’s done in your life.

Two reasons why a life of praise is so important.

A life of praise gives people a taste of the goodness of God.

Superscription - background to this psalm. David on the run - book 1 - David pursued by his enemies and God rescues his king.

Ps. 56 - the prelude to this psalm.

1 Sam. 21 - Pursued by Saul - David been anointed as the future king, but not king yet. Saul jealous of David.

In David’s attempt to escape from Saul he took matters into his own hands instead of turning to God - did what he had to do to survive.

His running led him to Nob, where Saul had moved the tabernacle. He lied to the priest in order to feed the men that were with him. (1 Sam. 21:2)

In Nob, David asked Ahimelech, the priest, for a weapon, and the only weapon he had was the sword of Goliath - probably held as a trophy at the tabernacle - a holy relic!

David took the sword and fled to Gath! The hometown of Goliath! Surely Saul wouldn’t chase him to Gath. Imagine David crying out to God the whole journey, “Lord save me.”

BUT… word gets out that David is in Gath and brought to the king. Pretended to be insane. scratched the doors and let drool run down his beard (1 Sam. 21:12-13).

David thrown out of king’s presence, and David escaped to a cave. He may have written that psalm in that cave. If so, that cave became a cathedral of praise.

In the cave, David realizes that ultimately it wasn’t his cunning ways that saved him - it was God!

If David could escape from Gath it was only because of God.

Realization every person of praise makes: it’s not you… It’s God. Any good that happens in your life - and hard time you’re brought through - any victory - it’s God.

“I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES - focused on God instead of me when life isn’t good.

vs. 3 - Join me in praise. Ps. 34 not just David’s testimony - it’s an invitation - “Experience this God that I’ve experienced...” ESV, NAS - magnify - telescope - so you can see how massive the moon or stars are - brings it close. Jesus has brought God close - We want to see how massively good He is in every life situation.

vs. 4 - “I sought the Lord - He rescued me...”

vs. 5 - “Radiant with joy...” Exodus 34:29 Moses face shone when he spoke with God - People who seek God and bless God radiate the joy of God...

vs. 6 - Cried out to God as a poor man - only hope is God.

vs. 7 - Exodus 14:19 - Does David have this event in mind? Angel of God moving from the front of Israel forces to back to separate them from the Egyptians. If so, David knew that the God who worked in Israel’s past was presently at work in his life. He’s at work in you as well. Praise Him! God is always for HIS people.

vs. 8 - Taste and see… David… “I want you to experience my God… You can also take refuge in Him. You can trust Him and lack nothing… Just come and experience...”

Ill. - Staci… Ninja blender… “Just taste it...” You’ve said to people, “You have to taste this… You have to see this...”

How do I help people taste the goodness of God?

Make a decision to be intentional. “I will bless the Lord at all times…” A daily commitment - good seasons and bad seasons - You intentionally talk about what matters most to you.

Some are intentional complainers - Opposite of praise is complaining - for some, “I will complain about life at all times...” Instead of inviting people to praise God with you, you invite people to complain with you.

You won’t be intentional in praise until you are convinced that God is worthy of your praise - you have to look back to the Word and your life - You have to experience God. You have to be intentional in your praise AND your pursuit of God.

Are you convinced that God is worthy of your praise? When has he failed you? When has He proved Himself faithful to you? If faithful to you, you can bless at all times.

Make a decision to be influential. You are leading people to taste something because you’re talking about something.

Taste my greatness when you boast.

Taste my anger when you lash out.

Taste my bitterness when you gossip.

Taste my idolatry when all I talk about is that thing I’m post passionate about.

Taste my disdain for those I don’t agree with when I talk poorly who think differently than I do.

OR, taste the goodness of my God - experience the One who’s been good to me.

Challenge: Pray for 1 conversation this week with someone about your faith - where you talk how God is working in your life.

A life of praise gives you an opportunity to help people fear the greatness of God.

vs. 11 - “Come children...” Thinking about his sons? Passing on a legacy of faith...

Dream of my children playing the piano… Not Luke’s thing… heartbreaking...

I wonder if the reason why Solomon opens up the Book of Proverbs with “Fear God is because he heard is dad say over and over again, “Fear the Lord...”

David: “I praise God because I fear God.”

“I will teach you to fear the Lord…” NOT teach you to praise the Lord, obey the Lord, worship the Lord, etc. because if you fear God you will praise God.

Why? Solomon - beginning of wisdom. (Prov. 9:10)

Fear of God is an attitude before God.

Should I be scared of God? He is a righteous judge - vs. 16 - He is against those who do what is evil… vs. 21 - Evil brings death to the wicked. Fearing God = an awareness that I will answer to God - the God of the universe who knows my every thought, my every word, my every action.

BUT… Taste and see… Righteous judge and a merciful King, a good shepherd: Do you desire a good life? (vs. 12) Live his way! Turn from evil, seek peace, cry for help, know that He is near the brokenhearted (vs. 18), He redeems (vs. 22)…

God could wipe my memory off the face of the earth, but He doesn’t. Therefore, I am diligent in how I live my life before Him.

Do you fear God? Do you think about how you live your life before Him? Do you have an attitude of fear?

You won’t teach others to fear God if you don’t fear God.

Fear of God affects the way you talk. vs. 13 - Deceit had filled David’s mouth. Warning to us: speak truth. Say what is good. When has deceit ever worked out for you? When have you ever said, “I’m glad I was deceptive?” But, you have often said, “Speaking the truth was hard, but I’m glad I did it...” NOT… “Tell it like it is...” But, speak the truth in love… I want people to experience what I’ve experienced.

Fear of God affects the way you walk. vs. 14 - Do what is good… Seek peace - intentional in your integrity before God. David: “I will not touch God’s anointed.” Sought to be good even to his enemy Saul. David could have taken Saul’s life, but David chooses to bless.. You don’t have to get even… You can be a blessing… Blesses Mephibosheth… Saul’s descendant

When you fear God, you have nothing else to fear. Romans 8:31-39 - What can this world really do to you? BUT, when you don’t fear God your heart ends up being full of fear because nothing is sure and concrete in your life.

What do people hear and see from you? Is your life inviting people to taste and see that God is good? Is your life a life of praise to the One who has been so good to you?

This week I will:

Count my blessings instead of counting my sorrows. Conversation around the dinner table.

Be intentional with my words. Clean it up.

I will repay evil with good instead of repaying evil with evil (1 Pet. 3:9). Someone is going to come against you this week - bless them.

Take advantage of an opportunity to influence someone with my praise.

Gospel: Psalm 34:19-20 - “One who is righteous...” That’s the problem… None righteous. Psalm 1 - You need a righteous One - Ps. 2 - You need an anointed King...

Jesus suffered many adversities for you - so you could be made righteous...

Exodus 12:46 - “Don’t break the bones of the passover lamb…” spear in Jesus’ side - nailed to a cross, but not a bone broken.

John 19:36 - John says, “Not one of His bones broken....” points back to this Psalm 34:20. Why? Because Jesus is the Passover Lamb who died and rose again so you could be delivered.

vs. 22 - So your life could be redeemed - so you could take refuge in Him and not be punished.

God delivered David - brought him out of the house of his enemies, and God has brought you out the house of your enemies - sin and death.

God is worthy of your praise. Why not live a life of praise, and why not live a life of praise in such a way that it points others to the hope they can have in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.