Taste and See the Lord is Good

Psalm 34, 1 Samuel 21,

Here is where I want to land today, I want to get here, it’s going to take some set up, but I want to land at:

God doesn’t want you to lack any good thing!

I want you to experience freedom and happiness.

In our culture, we’ll try almost anything, to experience personal freedom and happiness.

That’s why we are reluctant to try God’s ways.

I expect God’s ways to lack flavor, to be bland. To prevent me from experiencing abundance.

Or, on the contrary. What if it’s bold. I prefer what I know.

One things for sure, our circumstance, our context can make us reluctant to trust God.

THERE IS CONTEXT TO EVERY STORY, UNTIL YOU KNOW THE CONTEXT, YOU DON’T KNOW THE STORY.

For Psalm 34 It’s in the subtitle: Psalm 34:title (CSB): Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed.

In a moment of reflection, of clarity, David writes Psalm 34. It’s a personal experience.

When things got tough, I took matters into my own hands.

When things got tough I pretended.

I was deceitful.

Here’s what I found:

Observation:

1. We are reluctant to trust God.

Psalm 34:8 CSB

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!

(Taste and See)

2. We are prone to fear our circumstances more than God.

Psalm 34:4–7 CSB

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.

Application: How do I taste and see, Trust and seek God despite circumstances?

Taste and see!

Learn to fear God.

Fear God and learn to walk in His ways.

Our trials should drive us to the end of ourselves so that we seek the Lord for salvation as we fear Him and learn to walk in His ways.

Keep your tongue from evil

lips from deceit (Ps 34:13-14)

Seek peace and pursue it!

If you do not fear Him, you will not take refuge in Him.

David realizes now that deception and evil are not the way to the good life. Rather, seeking God for deliverance, fearing Him, and walking in His ways are the way to enjoy God and His blessings.

Psalm 34 is a testimony to God’s grace in bearing with our weaknesses. This does not justify our sin, but it does magnify God’s grace towards his weak children.

David calls

Seek the Lord and proclaim God greatness in all circumstances. (Ps 34:1-3, Eph 5:20)

No matter the circumstances give thanks. PRAISE (PLAYLIST)

Boast in the Lord, humble will hear. PRAY

Remember what he has done and write it down.

Worship together (Ps 34:3)

Psalm 34:20 ESV

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.