Bible Study - Stand (3) - GOD'S Promise of Provision - Psalm 34:4-14 - September 20, 2015

Bible Study – Stand (3) – GOD’S Promise of Provision – September 20, 2015

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Stand Strong: Build Your Life on GOD’S Promises.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 34:4-14

GOD provides for those who choose to live under HIS care.

Our focus scripture is a psalm related to David seeking refuge with the Philistine King Achish (AY-kish) of Gath. The reference to Abimelech (uh-BIM-uh-lek) is thought to be a generic title like “pharaoh.” David had fled the court of King Saul and needed a safe place as we read in 1 Samuel 21:10-15:

10 David fled that day from Saul's presence and went to King Achish of Gath. 

11 But Achish's servants said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Don't they sing about him during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?" 

12 David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath, 

13 so he pretended to be insane in their presence. He acted like a madman around them, scribbling on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 

14 "Look! You can see the man is crazy," Achish said to his servants. "Why did you bring him to me? 

15 Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house?"

Why did David act like a mentally ill person? It was the custom of that day not to harm a mentally ill person and David feared for his life.

Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm. This means that each two-line stanza begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet with the exception of one letter not being included. It is also classified as a “wisdom psalm.” David was expressing his personal testimony regarding the faithfulness of GOD. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 34:1-3: (Lead in)

The Lord Delivers the Righteous

Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of 

Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed.

1 I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. 

2 I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. 

3 Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us exalt His name together. 

David was expressing his full confidence in GOD regardless of the circumstances in which he found himself. Notice the words he used: praise, boast, proclaim and exalt. Such true expressions of confidence in GOD come from the heart of a person who knows GOD and has an intimate relationship with HIM. David invited others who knew GOD to join him in this celebration of knowing GOD through an intimate relationship.

Can a person fake his or her relationship with GOD through CHRIST? Yes! Christian jargon can be mimicked. A person can have head knowledge of CHRIST and not heart knowledge. Here we have to trust that having head knowledge reflects the desire for that person to have heart knowledge and the Holy Spirit will work in that person’s life to bring about the fullness of knowing HIM in his or her life. Often there can be barriers to a person holding back on allowing CHRIST to lead and direct his or her life. The flesh does not want to relinquish control.

David began his psalm with total trust in GOD which came about through experience and he invited others to join him in praising the “LORD at all times.”

Let’s read Psalm 34:4-7:

4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

5 Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. 

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard [him] and saved him from all his troubles. 

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 

Knowing about GOD, what we call head knowledge, is one thing but experiencing GOD, what we call heart knowledge comes from experiencing GOD, is quite another. David was writing based upon not what he had been told about GOD but what he had experienced by walking with GOD.

David was not perfect, yet GOD said he was a man after HIS own heart. That gives me hope and encouragement. I hope that gives you hope as well. We are all sinners saved by grace.

David sought the LORD and HE answered me!

The word “sought” carries the idea of “asking”, “seeking” and to keep on “asking” or “seeking” until we receive an answer. This is the Spiritual lesson JESUS was conveying in Matthew 7:7-12:

7 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 

8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 

12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them-this is the Law and the Prophets.

There is great joy when we know GOD has heard us because HE responded by answering and revealing truth.

GOD answered him and delivered him from all his fears.

David had experienced GOD’S protection as he escaped King Saul and King Achish.

When those who seek GOD find that secure relationship with HIM, “are radiant with joy.” Have you seen fellow Christians who seem to glow because of the presence of the LORD within them?

Such a “look” is not a glance but it is an intense, probing look into the depths of their being to know GOD. When a Christian sees the majesty of GOD it cannot be hidden but reflected. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun so do Christians who reflect the light of GOD through their relationship with JESUS.  

In verse 7, David used the words “this poor man cried.” David was not referring to a person being financially poor but a person being at his or her wits end with no place to turn for help. All options had run out and without the help of the LORD the man or woman would be destroyed. This poor man’s only hope was in GOD and guess what? GOD came to his rescue which proved that GOD heard him and saved him from not some but all of his troubles.

Life becomes more abundant when we know GOD is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

“The angel of the LORD,” statement could be a reference to GOD, CHRIST or to our guardian angels. The Holman Bible translation capitalized Angel to show that the translators thought the original manuscript intent was to refer to GOD.  The word angel refers to “messenger” or “deputy.” But the assurance is in the fact that GOD rescues HIS own. Other Bible scholars believe it was a reference to GOD.  

As we look at verse 8, in essence David was stating, if you do not believe me, then try my GOD, the One True GOD of Israel, for yourself.

Let’s read Psalm 34:8-10:

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

9 Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. 

10 Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing. 

David used the word “taste” which means to experience GOD and see, by proving to you that GOD is good and trustworthy. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Taking refuge in the LORD is to completely rely upon HIM for your protection and safety. We are to take refuge in GOD but we are not to forget Who HE is. We, you HIS saints, must always show HIM respect and honor as captured by the word “fear.”

Self sufficient people (often materially rich but Spiritually poor) often do not want to seek the help of someone else, especially having to rely upon GOD, so they go Spiritually hungry.

Those who do not take GOD seriously will go Spiritually hungry but those who respect and honor GOD do not come up lacking.

Let’s read Psalm 34:11-14:

11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

12 Who is the man who delights in life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? 

13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. 

14 Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. 

David’s desire was to teach others to have an intimate, trusting, loving relationship with GOD. He admonished those seeking an intimate relationship with GOD to listen to his instructions with the purpose of applying GOD’S wisdom to their lives. He used the word “fear” which means to honor, respect and reverence GOD. We must not be just hearers of the Word of GOD but doers. What we know, as revealed through our intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST, must be put into action as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

If a person loves life, and who doesn’t, and wants to build the right relationship with GOD, he or she must be careful what he or she says by guarding his or her tongue. For out of the mouth can come blessings or curses.

Guarding our tongue reflects the nature of our hearts. Those having the desire to have the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST must allow GOD to conquer the desires of their flesh. This is an act of the will. Christians are to turn from evil and choose to be obedient to GOD’S leadership and commands. Christians are to seek peace and take action to preserve peace.

When GOD reveals issues that need to be brought to light, once they have been exposed, then seek peace by trusting GOD to bring about the end result according to HIS will and purpose. These could be issues that hamper our Spiritual walk as Christians or issues within the Spiritual body of CHRIST, the true church.

True happiness is getting to know GOD through experience. Walking with GOD each day builds an intimate, loving relationship which becomes a natural part of life. To me, the ultimate relationship with GOD is when being obedient to GOD is a natural part of our lives. Blessings!!!