Bible Text: Psalm 34 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: David: Committed Living
David learns that his only consistent support is the Lord.
People & life will betray us but there is one consistent truth:
Hebrews 13:5 The Lord will never fail you nor forsake you!
1 Samuel 19:8-10: David lost his sense of personal, relational safety
1 Samuel 19:11–18: David lost his family’s support
1 Samuel 20:1-3: David lost his best friend’s support
1 Samuel 21:1-4: David lost his religious leader’s support
1 Samuel 21:10–15: David lost his self respect
Transition, a radical change in David
1 Samuel 22:1-2 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Where else can you go once you are in a cave? How do we overcome and get out of a cave?
Where else can you go once you are in a cave?
How do we overcome and get out of a cave?
Pray and keep an open ongoing dialogue with the Lord
Psalm 34:1–7 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.  Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.  I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Turning to God is ALWAYS the right choice!
Trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 34:8-10 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Trusting God goes hand-in-hand with our own responsibility to care for self
Be honest and pursue God
Psalm 34:11-14 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Be Righteous and humble
Psalm 34:15-18 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Keep on knowing and resting in the Lord
Psalm 34:19-22 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.  He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none shall be condemned. of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
God delivers; God redeems
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah 43:1-2 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.