July 12, 2023 -- Psalm 32:1-7 -- The Psalm Series: the LORD's amazing protection

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech,
so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the LORD at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalm 34:1-7 ESV

The background of this Psalm is likely I Samuel 21:10-15. David, fleeing from King Saul who was trying to kill him, went to Gath. The King of Gath, whose title is Abimelech and name is Achish, was musing that he had his enemy in his grasp. When David realized the trouble he was in, he pretended to be insane. The King of Gath then sent him away.

Prior to this, David had been anointed by Samuel, the servant of the LORD, to be the next king of Israel. The current king of Israel, Saul, was furious and was seeking to kill David. The LORD protected David and used the situation to teach David warfare. As David fled from Saul, he learn the lay of the land of Israel--its hiding places and good places for warfare. David learned the fine art of keeping his own band of soldiers loyal. Despite this, readers of the Bible know that David was not perfect. It was unwise to go to the King of Gath. He’d made a major misstep. Even so, the LORD protected him.

No wonder David praised the LORD. It was obvious the angel of the LORD was camping with David, keeping him from harm, like the attack of Saul. The angel of the LORD was even keeping David from the foolishness of his own actions. And the angel was protecting David from attacks he did not even realize and likely would not understand until David stood before the King of Glory in heaven and understood the mercies of the LORD. I wonder if it is not like that in our lives as well. It is only when we look back over the events of our lives that we realize how fully and how truly the LORD rescued us. And then eternity, what glory that will be! Then without the weight of sin or its blinders, we will realize how fully, how masterfully and how gracious our Father in heaven was protecting us all through our lives.

All of our Father's faithful rescues of His people is based on the greater descendant of David, Jesus. It is for the radiance and glory of Jesus Christ that we are saved. Rather than an angel camping at our doorstep, we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. The Spirit is the gift of the Father poured out to us on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. When we struggle, the Spirit is here. When we are foolish, the Spirit redirects our steps. When we feel far from God, it is the Spirit Who reminds us because of Jesus’ accomplished work, we shall never be forsaken, that is abandoned, by God. No wonder believers, with David, cry out, I will bless the LORD at all times!

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. What kindness and love You show to Your people. The stories of the Bible show us how You always persist in protecting Your people and believers can extrapolate from that how You continue to show Your love and protection in their lives as well. With David we cry out: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all". We bless You, O LORD, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, at all times. Amen.

https://youtu.be/DciMh_ciwkk “Taste and See” Shane and Shane

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