Taste + See

Short and sweet today!

One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 34. David writes this after he flees Achish the king of Gath. The benefits, or the results, from taking refuge in the Lord is what I read in Psalm 34. David confesses life has not been easy from stepping away from his flock in the fields to strolling the palace of King Saul. Even though we are not shielded from affliction, as believers we have access to the Lord. In the middle of the psalm David lists several ways the Lord is faithful:

• The Lord provides (v.10)
• The Lord sees (v.15)
• The Lord hears (v.17)
• The Lord delivers (v.19)
• The Lord redeems (v.22)

Q: What are two ways the Lord has proven faithful in your life in the last week?

Backing up to the opening of the psalm, how can I identify a person who takes refuge in the Lord? David gives us a hint in verses 5 and 8. It is fun to imagine how bright David’s countenance radiates at this point on his journey to reign as king of Israel. This marker of radiance foreshadows the glory of Christ in Isaiah 60:1-5. God will blanket His people in His glory. As David remains tethered to the Lord, his heart is pure, his hands are clean. No guilt. No shame. What a beautiful picture of heaven.

To set the scene for the next psalm, quickly flip back to 1 Samuel 22 to refresh your memory when Doeg spills the beans to King Saul that the priests at Nob provided David with provisions. The contrast David paints between the kingdom of man and the kingdom of the Lord is night and day in Psalm 52. His allegiance is to the Lord Almighty and the loyalty of Doeg is to King of Saul. In verses 1-7, David starts with the deceit and evil works specifically of Doeg and those faithful to King Saul. When we choose to be the one that tears down others or decides to follow leadership that cuts corners and suppresses others for personal gain, we end up on the path like Doeg. We will be remembered as the one who does not make the Lord their refuge. However, David ends the psalm with the reminder of where he is planted. The path he chooses is everlasting. The house of God outlasts everything we try to build on our own for ourselves. The Lord “has done it” is one my favorite lines that I often forget when busyness entangles me. To say these words out loud in verses 8-9 gets my feet back on track. Where am I planted? Who do I trust? What am I thankful for? Who determines my steps?

David is still on the run when he writes these psalms. He continues to emphasize his refuge in the Lord is what sustains him through every affliction, every discouragement, and every moment of weariness.

Additional reading: Psalm 56, Psalm 140-142.