Read Psalm 34:1-10. 1I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
David has been on the run facing threats from both King Saul of Israel and the Philistine King Achish of Gath. But through all these troubles the Lord has delivered him from all his fears.
David is teaching God’s people a valuable lesson. Our victory in Christ is something to be shared as a community. David invites the nation to celebrate his deliverance together – Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Rejoice with me. Praise God with me. Sing with me. Be joyful with me. I won’t keep God’s goodness to myself, come enjoy it with me.
But David doesn’t stop there. Not only does he invite the congregation to celebrate his personal deliverance with him, he invites them to experience God’s deliverance in their own lives as well – taste and see that the Lord is good. This shared experience of salvation is especially true in Christ. All in Christ have tasted the goodness of our salvation (1 Peter 2:3). All in Christ have been delivered from all fear (2 Timothy 1:7). All I Christ are radiant with the transforming glory of him (2 Corinthians 3:18). All in Christ lack no good thing (Romans 8:28). All in Christ are forever encamped in his loving protection (Romans 8:31-39). And it is this shared experience of the indwelling life of Christ that frees us from all jealousy and allows us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep without comparison.
To live is Christ is a shared experience of tasting the goodness of God in Jesus and his cross. Are you feasting at the table of God’s grace with all those who share his glory?
Prayer. Jesus, you are my goodness, my refuge, my deliverer, my angel, my provider. May my boast be in you alone. Amen.
To Live is Christ 