By Terry Kirby
Senior Pastor of Alpha Baptist Church, Morristown
Focal Passage: Psalm 34:4-14
When I was in middle school my parents, my twin sister, and I traveled, with our church, to Brookings, S.D., on a missions trip. Our team stayed in the dorms at South Dakota State University. We worked with the local Baptist Student Union. The BSU building was off campus. The BSU was an easy walk on the flat and straight streets of town. We had permission to walk from campus to the BSU building. One day I decided to walk to the BSU by myself. It didn’t take long for an East Tennessee boy to get lost in this strange place. I couldn’t remember the building’s address and I began to hopelessly wander the streets looking for my destination. After several hours of walking and ready to give up, I saw a familiar car turn the corner and drive in my direction. It was my father’s black Ford. Never in my life have I felt more helpless before being found and happy after being found. I knew that God had provided for my rescue.
With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, King David reflects in Psalm 34 on an event in his life where God had provided for his need of rescue. David speaks with confidence concerning how God provided for all of his needs.
Even though David had shown great strength and courage in his defeat of Goliath, David was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. David had gotten into some trouble and fled from King Saul. Running away from Saul, David headed toward King Achish (Abimelech) of Gath. The story is recorded in more detail in I Samuel 21. David pretended to be insane in front of the King for protection.
King David, now an older and more experienced man of God, shares his testimony and gives advice like a mentor for those needing the Lord God to deliver them from the desperation that life can bring.
In verses four through seven David declares God’s faithfulness to him. As David says in verse four, “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” David uses words like “answered,” “delivered,” “heard,” saved,” and “rescues” to describe God’s action toward him. King David seems to be forever in debt to God for all of His provision.
In verses eight through 10 David gives instructions to his readers concerning how they too can experience God’s provision using words like “taste and see.” God just doesn’t exist on the printed page. God is alive and His people can experience Him in powerful ways that can build our happiness and joy as He delivers us in our times of need.
Some Christian leaders may claim that verse nine advocates that God provides for every need and want for His followers. God can provide anything to us but we must be careful to remember that our needs and wants change as our dependence upon the Lord increases. Those who completely trust in the Lord no longer trust in the things of this world. What God does provide is enough.
In the final set of verses, 11-14, David gives his students specific instructions concerning how they are to listen to him and do as he says. David asks a question in verse 12, “Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good?” The answer is given in a series of commands: “Keep your tongue from evil,” “Keep your lips from deceitful speech,” “Turn away from evil,” “Do what is good,” and finally, “Seek and pursue peace.” The one who does these things will delight in a long life.
— Kirby is senior pastor of Alpha Baptist Church, Morristown
