Different forms of God's grace
David penned this psalm shortly after his dramatic escape from King Achish (1 Samuel 21). David escaped from Saul by appealing to Achish, but the guards turned on him and brought David to Achish in cuffs. David acted crazy and capitalized on the fact that Achish had never seen him before. It worked – he escaped. Was it ethical? Probably not, but this is not the point. We don’t look at narrative in the Bible to figure out how to behave. But David certainly thought it was God’s deliverance, and in his providence, God used that scenario to protect David.
What was David’s reaction?
Psalm 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
David saw this escape as a reason to proclaim God’s grace in his life. It spurred him on to the vocal praise of God. He didn’t boast of his own cunning plan. He didn’t magnify his undercover skills. He knew that it was God’s will and God’s grace that resulted in his survival.
This is instructive for us. Never say ‘I was fortunate to be the one person in my department to avoid the ax of downsizing,’ or ‘I was so lucky to survive the accident,’ or ‘I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.’
Acknowledge that God’s grace is active in your life. Use language that informs people that you view things through a biblical lens. We were blessed… Providentially… By God’s grace…
GOD’S GRACE EXPERIENCED
Ps 34: 4-7 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
David now shares his own experience of that grace. He tells us what it felt like to him. Calling on the Lord is not a superstition. It is not like rubbing the rabbit’s foot before fishing. It is not making the sign of the cross before a soccer game. It is a privilege only available to God’s children. God hears us and he answers us.
Never be embarrassed to approach God to keep his promises. If something is his will, it will come about. David knows this from experience. God told him he would be king, and sure enough, though he stared death in the eye, God delivered him.
GOD’S GRACE OFFERED
Ps 34: 8-10 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
David challenges you to taste and see that the LORD is good!
He says, ‘Don’t just take my word for it You take the taste test. Feast on God and you will agree.’
Taste is a sense that is impossible to describe but which can only be experienced. You can talk about God’s goodness until you are blue in the face, but what convinces people is when they experience it for themselves.
If you don’t know God, you don’t know what you are missing. But to taste God’s goodness is to get hooked. To experience God is to be addicted to grace.
GOD’S GRACE APPLIED
Ps 34: 11-17 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
If you have tasted that the Lord is good and experienced his grace, you won’t want to offend him by sinning and breaking his commandments. Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”
Note that David is not sugar-coating a sales pitch here. He is realistic about the trials that befall even the righteous.
Life is hard, and it can get harder for believers. But our hope is in our ultimate deliverance from the curse and evil and sin. But this hope is only for those who have put their faith in Christ.
When sharing the gospel with an unbeliever, be sure to include enough of your testimony to show them how you have experienced God’s goodness first hand.
Taste and see that the Lord is good! Author: Cripplegate
