January 16, 2022
Sermon Series: Introduction to Some Selected Psalms
Sermon # 4
FACING OUR FEARS
Psalm 34:1-8
Introduction: Fear is defined as “An unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger, evil or pain that is real or imagined; a feeling of being afraid.” Judy Blume, an American writer, once remarked: “Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) confirms: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
As I quoted before, fear is defined as “An unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger, evil or pain that is real or imagined; a feeling of being afraid.” It may include such feelings as agitation, panic, alarm, or fright to name but a few. It is a natural but powerful emotion often instigated by events outside of our control. It may be real or imagined. When a situation of real danger is brought about, then a physical reaction of self-protection is instigated which may result in either facing up to the danger or running away from it. This is often referred to as the fight or flight response.
Illustrative Story:
One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you stay with me all night? Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, “I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” A long silence followed. At last, it was broken by a shaky voice saying, “The big sissy! I know this is funny, but fear is not…
Uncontrolled emotions are a powerful influence over our behavior. When consumed with misdirected zeal, anger, jealousy, fear, or some other strong feeling, we tend to make rash decisions and act foolishly. For this reason and others, Scripture frequently stresses the importance of self-control.
When we act emotionally, we tend to create messy situations. This was the case with David in Psalm 34. On the run from jealous Saul and gripped with fear, David foolishly fled to an unlikely place: Gath, home of Goliath, the almost ten-feet-tall giant whom David had recently killed. When the servants of King Achish recognized him, David hatched a plan of survival. He pretended to be insane, scratching on the doors and drooling onto his beard. Achish ejected him from the palace, and shrewd David escaped to the cave of Adullam. Eventually, four hundred of Israel’s outcasts gathered with David, forming an army with him as leader (1 Sam. 21:10-22:2). While there, David wrote this psalm to celebrate the LORD’S deliverance and to instruct his ragged band of soldiers to fear the LORD.
With all these problems, look how David began to get his life straightened out. It is something every one of us should do when life of fear seems to cave in on us. Look what David did!
I
DAVID’S PRAISE
v. 1-3
A. Praise Him at all times.
Look at Psalm 34:1-2, I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.”
Although David had just been delivered from Achish, he promised to bless the name of the LORD in every circumstance of his life, the bad as well as the good.
Notice the word “all”. He was saying that he would bless the LORD at ALL TIMES.
Some folks do not have a hard time blessing the LORD when He is showering them with blessings, but when things are rough in their life, they do not have anything good to say about anybody, and that includes God. When hard times come, they start looking for someone they can blame their problem on. THEY CERTAINLY AREN’T THE BLAME!
Many people can’t bless (praise) the LORD at all times because they blame others for their problems. If we are ever going to get the help we need, we are going to have to recognize that we are the problem and quit our bellyaching. The only thing some folks know how to do is BELLYACHE!
Illustration:
Did you hear about the man on the airplane?
· Man: “Flight Attendant.”
· Flight Attendant: “Yes, Sir?”
· Man: “I want to complain about this airline. Every time I fly, I get the same seat, I can’t see the inflight movie and there are no window blinds, so I can’t sleep.”
· Flight Attendant: “Captain, shut up and fly the plane.
We can gripe and grumble ‘til the cows come home’, but the best thing to do is turn the NEGATIVE INTO THE POSITIVE and begin to praise the Lord.
B. Boast in Him before the afflicted and helpless.
David was confident that his praise would encourage the humble: whose spirits are brought low due to suffering or oppression. He said, O magnify the LORD with me.” He sought others to praise Him.
II.
DAVID’S PRAYER
v. 4-6
Look at Psalm 34:4,6, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved me from all my fears…”
A. David sought the LORD, and He was delivered v. 4
David had already experienced a number of terrors in his young life: a lion, a bear, and a giant pagan warrior. Now, the jealous, unstable king of his own nation was pursuing him. In each of these terrifying circumstances, David’s life was on the line. In every case, God heard and answered by giving him strength and guidance.
Notice, David said the Lord did two things v. 4
1. He heard me
2. He delivered me
B. God gives a radiant joy-never shame-to all who look to Him for help v. 5.
In proclaiming the glorious deliverance of God, David painted a vivid picture in v. 5. Imagine the terror-stricken face of one suddenly cast into a life-threatening standoff with a vastly more powerful foe----a seemingly hopeless situation. Unexpectedly, his defeated appearance is lightened or made radiant. Eyes darkened with doom suddenly sparkle with courage, hope, and joy.
C. David prayed in desperation, and God heard him, and saved him from all his troubles v.6
David wanted to be sure that there was no mistaking who deserved the credit for his victories. He had not prevailed because of his abilities, but because of the faithfulness and power of God.
Any time the Lord hears our prayers we should be most grateful, but especially when we face fearful times in our life. We should make sure that God gets the credit for answering our prayers.
III.
DAVID’S PROTECTION
v. 7
As David stood alone against his opponents, he was not alone. The angel of the LORD was with him. Throughout the Old Testament, the angel of the LORD sometimes refers to the Lord Jesus Christ in a pre-incarnate appearance, that is a visible appearance of God’s Son before He came to earth.
A. The angel of the LORD Himself is your guard.
B. He protects and delivers all who fear Him.
David testifies that the angel of the LORD encamps (literally, pitches his tent around those who fear Him, protecting and delivering them from adversity.
IV.
DAVID’S PROCLAMATION
v. 8
David invited others to taste God’s goodness. God has become so real in his life he wants everyone to know about the great God he serves.
Look at verse 8, we read, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
A. If we to receive God’s abundant goodness, we must seek Him: Try God.
B. Trust means to flee for protection or take refuge.
C. You will be blessed.
When God has been better than good to us, we want to invite others to taste this GREAT GOD!
FACING OUR FEARS, WE HAVE TO TRUST GOD!
Responsive Reading: Psalm 34:1-8
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