David, in his early days, proved to be a spiritual rockstar. Great was his faith in God. Heroic fearlessness was shown in his defeat of Goliath. He was an encouraging leader, a soothing musician, and a winsome public servant. David was one in whom the Holy Spirit dwelt. He was a man after God’s own heart.
However, like all our biblical and ecclesiastical heroes, David stumbled. In the day of tribulation, David proved to be a faithless, fearful, and foolish saint. In 1 Samuel 20 he went to the priest of God, at the house of God, on the day of God, and there he lied. Then he fled to the city of Achish, the city of Gath, the city of Goliath, the city of God’s enemies, the city filled with people whose relatives he had just slaughtered, hoping to find anonymity, safety, peace, and rest. His plan was ridiculous, and it did not take long for him to be realized and detained.
David’s next plan was even more ridiculous. While detained, he pretended to be a confused and drooling madman. In doing so he hoped he might be pitied, expelled, and saved.
Wouldn’t you know it; it worked! However, David was not saved due to the brilliance of his plan. He was only rescued due to the gracious mercy and power of his God. Yes, God saved his sinful, foolish, and “mad” saint from his sin, from his folly, and from some of his consequences.
Following his exile from Gath, David made his way to the cave of Adullam. There he found fellowship with a prophet, priest, and several hundred lowly brothers. There he found sweet fellowship with God. And there he cleared his head, meditated, prayed and constructed an acrostic hymn …
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (Psalm 34)
In the cave, David worships his God. From his soul and from his mouth flow much heavenly boasting. (vs. 1-2) Self-boasting in his own self-righteousness is the last thing on his mind.
David then calls his friends to join him in giving God the magnificent praise he deserves. (vs. 3) God’s goodness deserves a group celebration.
What exactly thrills David’s heart? It is not his performance but God’s that motivates his worship. What is David bringing to the table? He brings nothing but faithlessness, fear, and folly. However, despite his sin and trespasses, he prays to his Friend, and he is “saved out of all his troubles. ” (vs. 6)
He gives God praise for his transformation. Our story begins with spittle running down his beard. How shameful! Yet, our story ends with David stating, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”(vs. 5) Oh, how good is our God who removes guilt and shame.
Exaltation continues to flow as the Psalmist encourages his family, friends, and readers to experience God, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” One can almost see the smile on his face as he exclaims, “Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (vs. 8)
Then, he who was formerly governed by sinful fear and was delivered from all such fears (vs. 4), he calls upon his worshiping friends to have godly fear, awe, or breath-taking reverence for the Lord who saves, satisfies, and gives good things. (vs. 9, 11)
And what does he desire? What does the one look like who is internally consumed with godly fear, awe, or breath-taking reverence? According to David, through the grace of the Lord, he will speak differently, love differently, live differently, and continue crying to the one who continually saves the troubled, broken-hearted, and crushed in spirit. (vs. 13-18) The grace that saves is the same grace that transforms and conforms.
Ultimately, the ever-repenting God-fearer, he ends his prayer on a high note. Though afflictions continue to befall him and all God’s saints, the Father is the one who makes sure none of the bones of his beloved are broken. (vs. 19-20; John 19:36) And by the end of the story, God is the one who will afflict those who hate him and his friends. (vs. 21) Then comes a sweet benediction. Despite David’s faithlessness, fear, and folly, despite our faithlessness, fear and folly, “the Lord redeems the life of his servants,” And “none of us who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (vs. 22; Romans 8:1) None of us!
Unfathomable Grace 