“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
Psalms 34:1-8 NKJV
Dire
David wrote this Psalm after facing certain death at the hand of King Achish of Gath, who held the title of Abimelech, who was also a relative of Goliath who David had slain. David pretended to be mad, and was able to escape. In those times madness was considered a curse, and no one wanted to be near one who was insane.
“Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?””
I Samuel 21:12-15 NKJV
In the aftermath of that dire moment, David rejoiced in the Lord. It is a great reminder that we, who are New Testament believers, can have the same assurance.
Psalm 34 is a very important chapter for me in that it played a huge role in a dark time in my life. I had a tumor on my spine, which proved to be cancerous, and I was all but paralyzed. Lying in a bed, at Methodist hospital, awaiting transfer to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, I read through this passage. When I got to the part where He heard my prayers, I wept.
God was in the midst of my dire circumstance, and would not leave me nor forsake me.
We, as a nation and world, are in dire times. There is no way to sugar coat it. Things are bad, and have the potential to become worse. People everywhere are going through struggles, suffering individually and corporately. Meanwhile, there are forces from the pit of hell sowing lies into the heart of people, that serve to separate all into enemy camps.
Humanity is divided, and distracted, focusing more on the problems, blamed on others, but attributable to all. In the midst of the chaos, there is little concern for God.
I have written previously on how trials have caused me to focus on the Lord. The Scriptures are full of examples of people facing incredible odds, leaning on God in times of trouble and being delivered through the trial.
Thanks to Jesus, we have salvation through His suffering, His death and newness of life in His resurrection. We have been made ambassadors of Christ, sharing in the struggle, but having hope for those around us. We have been placed on mission to share the Good News. Bringing the Gospel bring persecution, but even in that, we testify.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
I Peter 3:14-15 NKJV
We who believe suffer the same as those who do not believe, and we also suffer because we do believe, as the evil one draws those in opposition, which God has ordained for our good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NKJV
The situation that David found himself in, could have been looked upon in wholly negative light, but, instead, it is a cause for joy, as he saw the work of the Lord.
I have learned that the trials I have face, and the opposition also, have worked together to foster spiritual growth in me. As I have been delivered through storms, I have seen the Lord move. In the aftermath, I have come away more trusting.
It has also given power to my testimony, as many who do not believe have borne witness to the faithfulness of my God.
Brothers and sisters, if you are facing a dire circumstance, and it seems as if all is lost, look to the Lord.
Often we hear people say to those who have been affected by catastrophe, That they are in our “thoughts and prayers.” To the natural man, this has no meaning. To those who believe, whom have abiding faith, there is great power in these words. I have seen God make the impossible, possible as I have prayed many prayers and seen a multitude of answers.
Be the beacon in these troubling times.
““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
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Musings from an idle mind 
“Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way,
To be happy and Jesus,
But to trust and obey.”
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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