Psalm 34:8-10
My hope as you read this message is that your Bible is open. I give my perspectives and some insight, but God wants to speak directly to you; we call it revelation. Listen to Him.
Our Hebrew word from verse eight, helping you remember, is ‘taste’; David wants you to experience God with your senses. How do you taste God? Well, not literally, but when you sense His love and care it’s like you’ve tasted heaven … or your favorite dessert. When you look around and ‘see’ His beauty and magnificence in creation, in a child’s face, or in a precious moment with someone, you’re experiencing God. His love is everywhere when you’re willing to taste and see His goodness and enjoy the refuge or safe place He offers in Christ.
Verse nine continues that thought but focuses on the word ‘fear’; followers of Jesus or saints, are awestruck and astonished at His promise of ‘no lack’. That means that your relationship with Jesus is more than enough to get you through any times of need; He is sufficient: El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Not every want, but every need.
In the last verse of this section David noticed animals, specifically lions, predators searching for their prey several times a day. A suffering, hungry lion is constantly on the lookout for food, on the contrary, those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing. That’s a pretty bold promise from God, don’t you think? However, since it’s said twice we can be assured that He means it. That job, promotion, new house, or other needs you have, if it’s good for you then He’ll make sure you receive it, however, it may take time.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
Do you believe that? Seeking the Shepherd means you talk to him about your needs, humbling yourself, letting Him work it out, and trusting Him to get it done. The goodness of God causes increase, not decrease, wholeness, not emptiness, but He decides what’s good and beneficial for you. Your faith is in His loving character and not your own power or strength to provide for yourself.
Charles Spurgeon wrote that these first ten verses were like a hymn where we find comfort and encouragement from God. Declaring His Word back to Him will build faith and you’ll find your level of trust increasing: taste and see.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, Psalm 40:3-4a
These first ten words of Psalm 34, written to help us remember (an acrostic), will build your faith, encourage you to keep going, and comfort you until you see the evidence of His goodness.
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