“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Psalm 34:8
David was known as a man after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). The amazing part of this: God knew this before David was even chosen to become king of Israel.
If you remember, King Saul continually disobeyed God. When God declared the kingdom would be removed from Saul and his family, read what Samuel told King Saul: “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:14). After one final chance, God told Samuel to declare the kingdom was rent from Saul’s family: “And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou” (1 Samuel 15:28). We find out who that man is in the next chapter. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…” (1 Samuel 16:13).
It is good to know that God knew David’s heart. And David knew God. However, that did not prevent events of life from happening. There was a time when King Saul was after David (for even King Saul recognized God’s hand upon David). Saul wanted to kill David. David spent many years fleeing from King Saul. There was one occasion in particular where David had to flee the country. He ended up in the presence of an enemy king, Achish (Abimelech). They knew who David was, a mighty warrior in Israel’s army. David was afraid. “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard” (1 Samuel 21:13). When David behaved in this manner, the king thought David was mad (crazy). David was allowed to depart and escape (see 1 Samuel 21:10 – 21:1).
David recognized that even though he was in a terrible place, it was God who delivered him from the hand of the enemy king. He wrote a Psalm to remember and praise God for taking care of him in such a time. “4. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears … 6. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:4-8). David sought God in his time of trouble. And God heard and delivered him. Notice that David called himself “This poor man”. When he cried unto the Lord, “the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” David understood what God did for him. He wanted others to recognize and do the same thing when one found themselves in trouble. “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8). David was fleeing from King Saul because Saul recognized David would be the king to replace him. The trouble was not something that David was looking for or dove into of his own accord. There is a great difference when one seeks trouble because of selfish desires or choosing to sin willfully. However, when trouble comes as one seeks after God, trying to please Him, God will help that one. Remember what David recognized: “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).
This is a great lesson for Christians today who choose to set their hearts to follow after God and the things of God. God will be with those who fear Him when trouble finds them. It is up to us to keep our hearts upon God and to cry out for help in times of trouble.
Have you set your heart to seek after God?
Do you call out for Him in times of trouble?