God providesOur preceding meditation on Psalm 34:7 comforted us with the promise God is our Protector.  David assured the saints of God:

Psalm 34:7 – The angel [messenger; ambassador] of the LORD [i.e. perhaps none other the Messiah Himself] encampeth [abides; dwells] round about [encircles; surrounds] them that fear [revere] him, and delivereth [rescues] them.

What comfort to know the LORD watches over them who revere Him and is ever ready to deliver them out of trouble.  In those hours when our hearts tremble and our souls are troubled, we can rest in the promise the LORD is ever encamped around us and is ready to rescue us in His time!

Not only is the LORD our Protector; He is also our Provider (Psalm 34:8-10).

Psalm 34:8-10 – “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

What an interesting exhortation David puts to his men when he challenged them to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (34:8a).   Do you remember your mother challenging you to eat your vegetables or take your medicine?  She knew there were some things you would have to accept by faith, trusting her maternal assurance, “It’s good for you!”the Lord is good

It is that same encouragement David gave his men concerning the LORD. The king writes:

Psalm 34:8 – O taste [sense; perceive] and see [behold; consider] that the LORD [Jehovah; Yahweh; Eternal God] is good [pleasing; pleasant; best]: blessed [happy] is the man that trusteth [flee to; make a refuge] in him.

David had experienced God’s protection and provision in the wilderness and was well equipped to encourage others to trust the LORD and find refuge in His promises and provisions.  My friend, it is wonderful to hear the testimonies of saints who have sought refuge and safety in the LORD, but how much better to “taste and see” and share your own life experiences and confidence in trusting God’s unfailing promises.

Psalm 34:9 – O fear [be afraid; reverence; stand in awe] the LORD, ye his saints [holy ones; set apart; pure]: for there is no want [lack; need] to them that fear [afraid; revere] him.

I am afraid our generation has lost the reality we are not only to love the LORD, but we are also to “fear” Him!   Who is the LORD?   He is Jehovah; Creator, Eternal, Self-existent God.  He is altogether righteous, holy and good.  David assures the saints, if you “fear the Lord”, obey His Word, and stand in awe of His majesty you will never want!Young lions

Psalm 34:10 – The young lions do lack [needy; destitute; poverty], and suffer hunger [famine; famish; i.e. a voracious hunger]: but they that seek [enquire; search; ask] the LORD shall not want [lack; fail; have need] any good [better; pleasant; favorable] thing.

Perhaps reflecting on his years as a shepherd boy, David recalls the roar of young, inexperienced lions seeking prey to satisfy their hunger.  Unlike the young lions, David assures the saints when they humbly seek and obey the LORD He will not withhold anything that is right and good for His people.

Dear friend, God allows us to go through seasons of trials and troubles, not to bring us to despair, but to grow our faith and teach us to trust His promises.  Too many Christians are like the evolutionist; always talking about things we have never seen or witnessed.

David was a great leader because he could give testimony to what he had experienced firsthand in his walk with the LORD.  The LORD wants the same for you!

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Copyright 2016 – Travis D. Smith