GOD DELIVERS
Psalm 34: 1-7
|
A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
This psalm as the subtitle tells us, refers to a specific occasion described more fully in 1 Samuel 21, which we will consider a little later in the service. This alphabetical psalm of David is split into two grand divisions at verse ten. The first division is praise and the second is teaching for men. These grand divisions may be subdivided further for our consideration over the next few weeks.
In verses 1-3, David vows to bless the Lord, and invites the praise of others. In verses 4-7 he relates his experience. These short phrases we will consider this morning. In the first portion David declares that from now on he always give praise to the Lord. This is to be in contrast to the period of his life to which this psalm is dedicated. David's escapades in Nob and Gath reflect no credit upon his character or career.
This should remind us that no matter how highly we might think of ourselves we are no better than this man after God's own heart! And Scriptures regularly report the failures of King David for our instruction. After all, it is because of David's need that the priests of Nob were later slaughtered for giving him help. So little did David trust in the Lord that he made his own escape and involved innocent people in his persecution. How much of the world's hurts do you suppose occur because people do not wait upon the Lord to solve their problems but take it upon themselves to make things happen.
I am reminded of several endeavors for at least seven years to bring another pastor in to work with us in the building up of Christ's Church here in Columbus. Three or even perhaps four times, the object seemed to be within grasp, yet only in the last six months has our fond wish become attainable. Sometimes you cannot thwart God's timing. And the congregation that closed to make Tim's coming to Columbus possible was all part of God's providential plan. Yes, a lot of pastor's quit and leave a job when the going gets a little bit tough and start a new ministry which in many cases does pan out.
But we have to realize that sometimes the work gets a little bit hairy and even difficult. I am reminded of two pastors who labored under difficult circumstances. One worked for a difficult senior pastor and stayed on in spite of difficulties while lesser men had left within months. When the appropriate time to move on finally came, that ornery Senior Pastor handed him the keys to a car that he had encouraged the congregation to purchase. In another case, a pastor worked against the tide in two or three different congregations, loving them and encouraging them by example to imitate the life of Christ. Yes, the world counts success in ministry differently than does our Lord, but we all have to take a cue from David here to be patient and wait for Him to see us through rather than take flight on our own.
In verse two David like Paul in the New Testament boasts only in the Lord. After all, it is only by God's grace that David was saved by his stupidity in going to the enemies camp. David does not dwell on that here but in verse three encourages his hearers to join in his praise of the Lord.
In the second portion David gives the reason for this boasting and praise. Even while he was hip deep in sin God answered him and protected him. This should give us assurance that even after we have sinned God will allow us to seek Him. In verse five we likewise are encouraged to copy David's action. The Hebrew of this psalm directs us in this way: Look unto him and be brightened, that your faces not blush. Though poor David found himself in a tight sinful situation he turned again to God and did not blush in his need. How often we have found ourselves in a circumstance we could not handle?
Every day of our lives, if we would open our eyes. We struggle and fail to deal with sin because we will not blush in embarrassment and ask others for help. Yesterday I caught the tail end of a comedy show where the key character finally asked his counselor. The counselor admitted that since he was seeking help, that was a good sign. If he wanted a better life, he should simply quit doing the things that caused himself and everyone around him so much misery. "Simple enough for you to say", the poor psychological "victim" retorted. Then in the next scene, the character actually prayed to the God of heaven for a solution to his predicament. The words of his counselor, speaking for God echoed in his mind and he was thus empowered by the Spirit to finally see the necessity for living a new life by no longer doing the things that he thought would make him happy, but in reality would destroy him and everyone he loved.
Like Peter in his first letter, David encourages us to taste the sweetness of the goodness of the Lord our God. And blessed is the strong man as the Hebrew has it, blessed is he who takes refuge in God. The next injunction calls upon us to fear God. This idea is one that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrestled with for many years in the Soviet Union. Finally, because of his fear of God he spoke out against the crimes of the state and survived. Despite his being unable to earn a living his needs during the desperate months of struggle were regularly met through the kindness of friends and associates.
The lions of the Kremlin as well as the lions of David's time may indeed grow weak and hungry, but the Lord's own in Ancient Israel, Modern Russia and in all other times and places as well lack nothing needful. As David notes in the second division we regularly need to demonstrate to the children of the kingdom what God has indeed done for us. The essential thing to communicate is the fear of the Lord. This fear includes two things. First there is devout reverence which is essential to a right relation of man to God. Second there is the conduct which that relationship demands. Just as James asserts in the New Testament, there is a relationship between the faith which we say we have and the ongoing conduct of our lives which indicate whether or not that faith is really present! May all of you who claim the Name of Christ be enabled by the power of His Spirit to live a life in submission to His ordering so that those around you may see revealed in you our Christ and our God. Amen.
|
|
Resources Used: |
|
|
Archer, Gleason L. |
Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. | |
|
Kirkpatrick, A.F. |
The Psalms. | |
|
Spurgeon, C.H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
|
The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society (1973, 1978, 1984) | ||
|
Psm 34b |
16 Jul 89 & 22 February 98 | |