#DailyDevotion The LORD Delivered This Poor Man From All His Troubles
Psalm 34 I will always bless the LORD; my mouth will continually praise Him. 2My soul will glory in the LORD; humble people will be glad to hear it. 3Honor the LORD with me, and let us lift up His name together.
According to the inscription of this Psalm, David feigned madness. He was captured by the Philistines after visiting the high priest Abimelech. Their king seeing David’s “madness” sent him away. Another interesting thing about this psalm is that from the first verse to the second to last verse begins with the first word of the letter of the alphabet in order.
So David begins with praise and blessing, inviting us to join him. His innermost being glorifies the LORD. To bless the LORD is to give Him thanks. Why will humble people hear it and be glad? Those who are humble know and understand, everything they have is from the LORD. When you bless your food before eating it, you are acknowledging it came from the hand of God. David has done many things and people praise him for it but David blesses the LORD and praises Him for all his good things.
4I went to the LORD for help, and He answered me and rescued me from everything I dreaded. 5Look to Him and be radiant; don’t let your face be downcast. 6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him and rescued him from all his troubles.
Now when you praise someone, you talk about what the person has done. David had turned to the LORD for help. The LORD heard his prayer and answered him by rescuing him. He was captured by his enemies but the LORD allowed David’s ruse to work. When we look to the LORD for help our faces will be radiant. It is as when Moses talks with the LORD and his face changes. When we turn to the LORD in faith, trusting in His promises our face don’t need to be downcast anymore. We have the LORD’s promise and believe He will hear us. Of course, you actually have to believe the LORD hears you and answers your prayers for your spirit to be lifted up.
James writes in chapter 1, “6You should ask with faith and have no doubts. Anyone who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7Such a man should not expect to get anything from the Lord. He’s indecisive – wavering in everything he does.” So turn to the LORD in faith. Trust in Him. David assures us with his own experience in verse six, “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him and rescued him from all his troubles.” Look how David sees himself in all humility as a poor man. That is, he does not rely on himself, his own resources, strength, intelligence and the like. He trust in the LORD and turns to the LORD in all his troubles. The LORD rescues him. So we too should turn to the LORD in everything. The LORD will use what we have to help us solve all our problems today. Notice, David was not without problems. In life we will have many problems, trials and tribulations. Following Jesus means we will participate in His sufferings. Trust in the LORD Jesus Christ, the Father hears our prayers for His sake and will answer us. David’s experience will be ours as well.
Heavenly Father, have mercy on us and hear us when we cry to You. You delivered David from all his troubles. We pray, as you delivered David, rescue us from every trial that comes our way that we too may bless You and praise Your name for all Your goodness towards us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.