Taste and See: Psalm 34

Message Notes

Thankfulness

Our testimonies aren’t always profound moments of triumph.

They are also small moments of deliverance.

David’s Testimony

1 Samuel 21:10-15
“That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?”

Faith or fear will guide your life.
You can only be led by one.

Fear is misplaced trust

1 Samuel 22:1-2
“David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.”

Psalm 34:1-4

“I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.”

Boast in God

In David’s moment of fear, he sought God, and God brought deliverance

Deliver = to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, recover, plunder

Have Faith, Seek God in your fear, and He will bring deliverance

Psalm 34:8-11

“Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

Proverbs 9:10a
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Fear the Lord or your fears will lord over you

Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.”

Live the Lord’s ways and God will stay close to you

Apply this psalm to your life

• What is your testimony?
• What are you boasting about?
• Have you accepted the invitation?
• What do you fear?
• Are you living God’s ways?
• What wisdom are you following?
  

Psalm 34:20-22
“He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”

Are you seeking refuge in God?

Or choosing to stay in your condemnation?