Message Notes

Introduction

1. In 2 Corinthians 1…

a) The Apostle Paul was faced with tribulation

b) But he had a deep faith that was able to overcome things quickly

2. This month, we are going to look at Psalm 34 as a balance from the Old Testament.

a) David, the author, was unlike Paul in many ways.

b) He struggled with things that Paul was not affected by.

3. The message title for today is “I sought the Lord and He heard me”

a) This is found in Psalm 34:4

b) David was reflecting on a time when he sought the Lord, and He heard him

4. The context of Psalm 34

“A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.”

a) Looking at the superscription   (1 Samuel 21:10-15)

b) Abimelech…his other name was Achish

Reaction

1. The reaction of David

a) David fled from Saul and struck up a friendship with king Achish   (1 Samuel 21:10)

b) But Achish’s men were suspicious about David’s presence

“And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did
they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”   1 Samuel 21:11

c) David became fearful of king Achish

“Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.”   1 Samuel 21:12

d) His initial reaction was to pretend madness

“So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard.”   1 Samuel 21:13

e) Achish thought he was mad and drove him away

“Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”   1 Samuel 21:14-15

2. David’s reaction of pretending madness was sin

3. The danger of reacting

a) When we are faced with an unexpected circumstance, we tend to fear and react

b) We allow fear to get the better of us

Realisation

1. After this failure, David realised the need to seek the Lord instead

a) He realised that he needed to have a correct approach to the challenges of life

b) The superscription was a reminder of his sin and not to commit the same sin again

c) He realised that he should have sought the Lord instead

2. Other Psalms revealed that David learned to seek the Lord

a) Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

b) Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.”

3. This was an invaluable realisation for David…to seek the Lord

Reason

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”   Psalm 34:4

1. In Psalm 34, David gave the testimony that he had learned to seek the Lord

2. He had found reasons to seek the Lord.

3. One reason that David had learned was that God could deliver him from his fears

a) These were some concerns mentioned in Psalm 34

i) There were troubles   (Psalm 34:6)

ii) Suffering wants in life   (Psalm 34:9)

iii) Dealing with those who do evil   (Psalm 34:16)

iv) Afflictions of life (  Psalm 34:19)

b) David had seen how the Lord could deliver him

c) His knowledge of God as a deliverer became his reason to seek Him

Response

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”   Psalm 34:4

1. When unexpected things arose…

a) David did not react wrongly…sinfully this time

b) He was much more prepared to seek the Lord

2. David’s response was to seek the Lord

a) Knowing God as one who would hear and deliver became his reason to respond.

b) He was inspired and driven to respond correctly

3. The challenge is for us to respond correctly…seeking the Lord

Conclusion

1. Cease from reacting

2. Choose to seek the Lord

3. Be compelled to seek the Lord

4. Confidence in seeking the Lord