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Rejoicing In Restoration PSALM 34:1–10; HEBREWS 2:17–18
ness, but so that He could also be offered as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus is the High Priest as well as the sacrifice. Since He has gone through suffering, He can help who- ever is going through a trial. When we face a trial like David, where we have no place to turn, we can call on Jesus for help.
It is certainly not hard to be overwhelmed by fear and
brokenness. So many differ- ent news stories describe po- litical conflict and oppression. Sometimes the violence and brutality shows up in our own neighborhoods from gangs or even the police who are supposed to protect us. On top of that, you might have to deal with your own personal family and finance issues. It’s hard not to crack under the pressure of just
trying to put food on the table and make ends meet. This is why it is important to do what David did—call on God in times of crisis. This includes prayer and also re- joicing in God’s goodness. For those of us who have tasted and seen His good- ness, we can testify about it! He is the One who lifts our spirits up, even in times of crisis.
By the end of this lesson, we will: EXPLORE the biblical call; The lesson teaches the mercy and faithfulness of God; to APPRECIATE the faithful- ness of God; and to PRAY for God’s will for restoration for all people to be realized.
Describe a time when you had to trust God in a difficult situation.
Keep in Mind, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).
The Scripture Reads:
Psalm 34:1 A psalm of David, regarding the time he pre- tended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.] I will praise the LORD at all times I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD lis- tened; he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.
Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Many different people composed the Psalms, but King David is thought to have written most of them. Some psalms are also attributed to Moses, Asaph, and Solomon.
Background: In Psalm 34, David praises God for help- ing him narrowly escape the clutches of King Abimelech. During this time, David was on the run from Saul and had recently left the scene of Doeg the Edomite’s slaughter of the priests. With nowhere to go, he decides to head into Philistine territory. While there, David could not escape his identity as an Israelite. The Philistine commanders recounted the songs sung
about David and his victories against the Philistines. Over- hearing this, David begins to drool and scratch on the doors. King Achish refuses to allow David to remain in his court. In this way, David nar- rowly escapes the Philistines’ wrath.
The Call to Worship (Psalm 34:1–3)
At the beginning of Psalm 34, David expresses his praise and celebration on a personal level and invites others to join in. First he speaks of his own attitude and lifestyle of praise. His boasting is exclusively about all that God can do and ac- complish. As a result, the humble, or those who need help, will be glad because they will hear of the only One who can ultimately help them. Lastly, he invites wor- shipers to speak of God’s goodness and to worship Him corporately.
The Recall of Deliverance (vv. 4–6)
Next, David tells his per- sonal testimony of his deliv- erance from King Achish of Gath. David recalls how he prayed to the Lord for deliv- erance from the Philistine king, and how the Lord freed him from all his fears. It shows that David was a man of prayer, even while faced with immediate danger. This is how we ought to be as well. We do not need to wait until a formal occasion to pray. Every occasion is an oppor- tunity to ask God for help.
Calling Out the Faithful (vv. 7–10)
David then turns his at- tention to those who also worship the God of Israel. He lets them know that God’s angel is there to protect them, and there is no better position to be in than to be able to experience God’s goodness. David uses the fig- urative language of taste and sight to show how to truly enjoy His goodness.. He fur- ther reiterates God’s care for the faithful by stating that they will not lack any good thing. David knows from ex- perience that God will take care of him and anyone else who fears Him
Call on Jesus (Hebrews 2:17–18)
The writer of Hebrews lets his audience know that Jesus was made like us in His hu- manity. This was necessary so that He could not only ex- perience our pain and weak-
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