Saturday, 9th October 2021. In times of trouble, look to Yahweh for deliverance
Text: Psalm 34:1-22
In the Hebrew verse 1 (look back to the lesson of October 7), we read about the circumstances behind this psalm. The story is a little comical, although largely sad. Yahweh was going to end King Saul’s reign in Israel because of the King’s sin (1 Sam.15) and then make David a king in his place. Saul knew this; so, he tried to kill David. David escaped and went to hide in the Philistine city of Gath (1 Sam.21); but the citizens of Gath told their king that David was a great warrior of Israel. David became afraid of their King (1 Sam.21:12); so, he pretended to be a madman, in order to protect himself. David gives God the credit for saving him in his weakness.
Jesus did not hide when the false King, Satan, tried to kill Him. At appropriate times He went right in, among His enemies and spoke to them about their sinful ways. He knew He was going to be killed by them someday, but it was all part of God’s plan, and it did not stop Him from implementing His mission of redemption. Jesus completely entrusted Himself into His Father’s care. We, likewise, must trust God in the midst of distress and anxiety and weakness. David says he cried out to God while in trouble (vv.4, 6), and so must we. But David did something, while trusting, and so must we. If you do nothing, your situation will remain hopeless. But when you pray earnestly and move forward, while trusting, you will see that you have been under His protection.
Meditate on verse 19. What is God teaching you in this verse?
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, deliver me from all my afflictions. Amen.
