How do we know if a cooked dish is any good? We can look at it to see if it is presentable and arranged on the plate in an appealing way. Sure, we can smell it, for its scent can give some indication of its quality. We can even place our finger in it to determine the temperature of it. But there is only on way to be for sure if the cooked dish is any good…….one most actually taste it. In other words, sometimes our senses can deceive us, but experience best informs our understanding.
Now to the text: David’s deliverance from both king Saul and Philistine king of Gath, Achish (1 Sam 21), is the historical backdrop of Psalm 34. As a result, his soul boasted and exalted in God, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v1). Here are few thoughts that should shape our praise of God in our own lives that we can learn from David:
God responds to the prayers of his people. How often do we entertain the thought, “God does not hear me?” These are certainly lies. We are promised, that if we seek after him, he will be found by his people. David affirms, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me from all my fears” (v4). James adds, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” (Jam 4:8). Our hope in God is not false, for he will reveal his presence to us, thus, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (v5). We are given this confidence: if we ask according to the will of God, he hears us and will respond (1 Jn 5:14-15, cf., Mt 6:33). A heart that approaches God in neediness and confession of our inability to save ourselves will see the glory of God work in their lives, thus, David testifies, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles” (v6).
Good is good! David continues his exaltation, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (v8). Let us return to an concept offered in the introduction: Just as food must ultimately be tasted to discover its true quality, so also must God be trusted to experience the truth of his goodness, thus Psalm declares, “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
These promises of God is for those who have entered saving relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us? Though the world of men can be strong and ruthless (i.e., like young lions) our God is greater. The Lord and his host guard us (v7)! Let us rejoice in prophet Elisha’s response to his servant informing him that the king of Syria surrounded his city to capture him by his great army, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. (17) Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘Oh Lord, please open the eyes of the young man that he may see.’ So the Lord opened his eyes of the young man and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kgs 6:16-17). Hallelujah! Let us seek the Lord that we may lack no good thing. Oh taste and see that he is good!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com