BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 34

Subtitle: God will always provide for us!

My challenge in writing this blog is to find new expressions and insights for a theme that is repeated multiple times by David throughout the Psalms. The words of promise that jump out at me are the same ones that were used in almost every preceding Psalm.

“I went to the LORD for help. He answered me and rescued me from all my fears. All who look to him will be radiant. Their faces will never be covered with shame. Here is a poor man who called out. The LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The Messenger of the LORD camps around those who fear him, and he rescues them. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:4-8 (God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, www.godsword.org)

Everyone who calls out to God, who trusts in the promises of God, who believes that God alone can save them, who recognizes that they are incapable of obtaining salvation on their own, will receive salvation though Jesus Christ. It is the Messenger (Jesus Christ) who rescues us from our sin, death, and the devil. It is Jesus’ death and resurrection that saves us from our sin. He is the One we can take refuge in. What He has to offer is GOOD, because He provides for us the greatest gift we could ever ask for, of which we are so undeserving, everlasting life with God in heaven.

So why does David keep repeating this same theme over and over, again and again in his Psalms? Maybe, just maybe, he needed to remind himself of the blessings that come from living a life of dependence on God’s promises. He had just left the company of the Philistines. He was living the life of fugitive. King Saul was trying to kill him. Anyone who tried to protect him was putting their life at risk. David needed a place to hide and last place Saul would look for him was in the company of the Israelites worst enemies, the hated Philistines! But, his life was in danger there also, so David pretended to be insane. He acted like he had rabies! He was foaming and drooling from the mouth. Not a pretty sight for the future king. Well, the Philistines didn’t want him hanging around their camp either so they threw him out.

Have you ever been rejected by everyone? Your people, your relatives, and even your enemies! David wrote, “Here is a poor man who called out.” And when he did he received comfort from God. This comfort came in form of peace, a peace of knowing that God would take care of him.

“Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek the LORD'S help have all the good things they need. Come, children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy good things? Keep your tongue from saying evil things and your lips from speaking deceitful things. Turn away from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it! The LORD'S eyes are on righteous people. His ears hear their cry for help.” Psalm 34:10-15 (God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, www.godsword.org)

Maybe like David we need to be reminded over and over, again and again that God will take care of us. We forget so quickly what He has done for us. A new day comes, new trials, new temptations, new failures, and new doubts! And so like David we need to constantly be reminded that God will provide for us. Here is our BOLD outreach promise:

“The LORD is near to those whose hearts are humble. He saves those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person has many troubles, but the LORD rescues him from all of them. The LORD guards all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.” Psalm 34:18-20 (God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, www.godsword.org)

The broken heart is restored by God’s power. When your spirit is crushed God gives you His spirit of peace. God is always in control. Even after Jesus died on the cross, His bones were protected from being broken just as God stated a 1,000 years earlier. God’s Word never changes. He will always restore and make righteous those who trust in Him.