Desperation

Psalm 34 was written by David when he was fleeing from the murderous wrath of King Saul. Even though David had been anointed King of Israel by God’s command to the Prophet Samuel, David was a man without a country, a king without a kingdom. Where could David run? Where could David hide from King Saul. 

David first goes to Nod, to the priest named Ahimelech. David had no food and no weapon when he arrived in Nod. The priest gave David the Holy Bread of the Presence and Goliath’s sword that had been stored there. David departs Nod with Holy Bread and the sword of the slayed Giant from Gath. 

Where will David go next? David goes to Gath, the former home of the giant Goliath. David goes to Gath carrying Goliath’s sword. Can you see David’s desperation? How could this be a good idea? But where else could he go? King Saul is plotting to kill him. David is truly a man without a country, a king without a kingdom. 

When David arrived in Gath, the people recognized him and immediately saw a problem with David staying there. 

1 Samuel 21:10-13 (NLT) 

So David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish [also known as Abimelech] of Gath. 11 But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. “Isn’t this David, the king of the land?” they asked. “Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” 12 David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. 13 So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard. 

Can you see David’s desperation? No food and he is forced to eat the Holy Bread of the Presence. No weapon and David picks up Goliath’s sword to flee to Goliath’s hometown. When his identity is revealed in Gath, David is forced to pretend to be insane. Can you see David’s desperation? 

It is in this state of desperation that David writes Psalm 34. We can learn much from David’s state of mind, heart and soul by reading Psalm 34. How to respond in times of desperation. 

Psalm 34:4-7 (NLT) 

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 listened; 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. 

What is the lesson for us in this story of David, a man without a country, a king without a kingdom? What can we learn from this man that would be called, “A man after my own heart” by God? One sentence sums it up for me. One sentence from Psalm 34. 

In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. 

Does this mean David had no more trouble? No! David had much trouble after that day. David ran from Saul and waited more than 20 years for the promised kingdom to come to him. A man without a country and a king without a kingdom for more than 20 years and yet…David still writes Psalm 34. 

David’s hope is our hope today. God is watching, God is listening, and God will save us on the last day. This is the blessed hope for those who have put their faith in the Son of David…Jesus Christ our Lord. 

For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper