September 16th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Take the Taste Test

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Opening Prayer

Loving Father, You are strength of my life and the origin of my hope. I affirm my trust in You.

Read Psalm 34:1-22

[1] Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left. I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. [2] I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. [3] Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. [4] I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. [6] This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. [8] Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. [9] Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. [10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. [12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, [13] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. [14] Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. [15] The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; [16] but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. [17] The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. [18] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Hope is the confidence that if you do God’s will; God will keep his promises to you” (Tony Campolo).

Think Further

Psalm 34 is an account of divine intervention. Apparently the writer, presumably David, had been in a perilous situation but had been dramatically delivered. Most scholars agree that the historical situation referenced here was when David was on the run from King Saul. David escaped to Gath where he approached King Achish, but suddenly realized he was in danger. He feigned madness before the king and was able to escape. David attributed his escape to the Lord answering his prayer (1 Sam. 21:10-15).

His gratitude for this deliverance is seen in praise to God, and in an exhortation to others to “Taste and see that the Lord is good…” (8).

In the first section (1-10), the psalmist’s praise was both personal (1) and congregational (2,3). Here, a miraculous deliverance from danger was the catalyst for praise and leads to a heart lifted in praise (5,6) and a call to others to come and experience the God of timely interventions (7-10).

The second section (11-22) contains general instructions arising from the psalmist’s experience of divine deliverance. David had not only experienced the presence of God, but had seen a clear demonstration of the power of God. His response was one of awesome wonder (“fear of the Lord” v. 11). Such devotion moves from worship and finds expression in moral behavior; a negative in turning from evil (11a) and a positive in embracing the good (11b). There follows a series of blessings to those who serve the Lord (15-18), and the conclusion speaks of ultimate destiny.

David saw his deliverance from suffering to be an encouragement to the godly. Our witness can encourage those in physical, emotional, personal, and spiritual distress.

Apply

Can you remember a time when you were in desperate circumstances? What was the cry of your heart? Tell someone else what you learned.

Closing prayer

Lord, You have been close to me delivering and sustaining me. I am ever so grateful.

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