Deliverance From All Fears

Psalm 34:4-5:  "I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame."

Psalm 34 is considered to be an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with the next letter in the Hebraic alphabet.  The importance of such a strategy cannot be overstated, as it can reasonably be assumed that this lettering was designed for the hearers to learn/memorize the verses, to have them ready in their hearts should the circumstances warrant their recall.  And when one reads through this chapter in Psalms, one can see that it is a word of direction and encouragement for those who face difficulties and the fears that can come from those painful ordeals.

One of the first things that is highlighted in the chapter is the need to "extol the LORD at all times" (34:1).  The word "extol" means "to praise highly, to glorify."  Notice that the command is for us to praise and glorify the LORD all the time . . . even in the difficult trials that come our way.  Why would such a directive be given?  I believe that the more that we keep our focus on the LORD, the more we are able to find the comforting assurance that He is with us, He is in control, and He is desiring us to depend on Him and grow closer to Him in the process.  And as we keep our focus on the LORD, we too are able to have a perspective that is more in line with His divine perspective of our circumstances . . . that He is working out His plans and purposes in the midst of our difficulties.  This is how we are able to "boast in the LORD" when our circumstances seem to be out of control and are attempting to draw us into utter despair.

When one reads the historical circumstances during the time David penned Psalm 34, one will see that David himself sought the LORD in the midst of his fretful ordeal (I Samuel 20-21).  Even though David struggled with his fears initially, eventually he would gain a firm confidence that God would answer him and deliver him from ALL his fears.

David likely wrote this psalm while he was being pursued by King Saul, who determined to destroy David's threat to his throne.  Once David received word from his trusted friend, Jonathan, that the king was in hot pursuit of him, David fled into the land of the Philistines.   David then was taken to King Achish of Gath, where David's reputation as a mighty warrior was discussed in the court of the king.  Fearing that his life was in further danger, David began acting like a mad man, knowing that pagan nations considered such an affliction to be of the gods and that a man like this would not be harmed but treated as holy.  This was a way that David sought to take care of his own fears and vulnerabilities, rather than trusting in the LORD to bring deliverance.

Once David was given permission to leave Gath, he fled to the protection of the cave of Adullam, but he did not stay there long.  He then went to the stronghold at Mizpah in Moab, but the prophet Gad was sent to David and told him that he couldn't stay there.  Instead, God summoned David back to Judah (and presumably back into the danger zone, within reach of King Saul's army).  As David made his trek toward the forest of Hereth, one can imagine the fears that he had, for he knew that his presence would soon be discovered by Saul's men (which it was).   Still, at some time along the journey, God gave to David the words of comfort and assurance that He was with David.  David knew to seek the Lord, and He would deliver David from all his fears.  David too knew that the more he kept his focus on the Lord, the more he would reflect the glorious radiance of God in the mist of his ordeal.  It is then that David could "taste and see the the LORD is good . . . . a righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all . . . The LORD redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him" (Psalm 34:8,19, 22).

This is a good word for us.  How often to we attempt to help God out by taking control of our own circumstances . . . attempting to remedy them solely through our efforts rather than His?  We need to seek the Lord, knowing that He will answer us in our time of need.  God will hear our prayers.  He will bring about good things to those who seek refuge in Him.  And along the journey, we can know that God will rescue us from the fears that wage war against our hearts.   We can know the sweetness of God's presence, protection, and vindication.  So let us taste and see that the LORD is good!