I Sought the Lord

Psalm 34

When David wrote Psalm 34, he was hiding from Saul, the king of Israel. Saul had grown unstable and repeatedly tried to kill David. The most recent attempt came while David was playing music to soothe him. Without warning, Saul hurled a spear at David, aiming to pin him to the wall. Scripture doesn’t tell us how, but somehow David dodged the attack and escaped with his life.

Anxious and desperate, David made the fateful choice to leave Israel and seek refuge among the Philistines. But remember—David was famous for killing Philistines. After he struck down Goliath, he became a celebrated commander, and his victories over the Philistines were legendary. Saul’s jealousy burned hottest because David’s military successes far outshone his own.

Here we should pause. Scripture never glorifies the killing of people, but it does acknowledge that governments are established to restrain evil. In that role, they wield the sword. Soldiers who serve their government in the line of duty are not condemned by Scripture—they are honored for fulfilling their calling.

Back to David. Imagine the irony: the man who had killed thousands of Philistines now fled for safety into Philistia itself. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s read what happened:

1 Samuel 21:10–15 (NKJV) 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

David barely escaped with his life. Through this humiliating episode, he was learning to rely on God. By nature, David was a man of action, a gifted leader who got things done. But in his own wisdom, he miscalculated. Out of that experience, however, came Psalm 34, where we see the lesson David learned:

Psalm 34:1–6 (NKJV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

This is such rich truth! Look especially at verse 2: “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD!” Imagine living in that place—boasting only in the Lord. David echoes this again in Psalm 18:

Psalm 18:2–3 (NKJV) 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Now, focus on one phrase from Psalm 34:4: “I sought the LORD, and He heard me.”

• “Sought” here means not to search for something lost, but to inquire, to ask.
• “Heard” means to pay attention, to respond.

Paul declares this same truth in Romans 10:13: “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

David learned this the hard way. The first time he fled to Philistia, he went in his own strength and nearly lost his life. The second time, years later, he asked the Lord first. And that time, the king welcomed him. David had learned the lesson: always call on the Lord. We must learn the same.

When the disciples were troubled by Jesus’ words about leaving them, He said:

John 14:1 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

My own heart has been troubled over the murder of Charlie Kirk, an unspeakable evil. Yet even now we must remember: God is in control.

Jesus Himself was murdered, willingly, for our salvation. All the apostles but John were martyred because they refused to stop speaking the truth. Through the centuries, countless others have laid down their lives for the same cause. Our calling is no different: to speak the truth and proclaim the gospel until Christ returns.

Notice this: the apostles never called for violent resistance. They called people to repent and turn to Christ. That message transformed the world. But when the church seized political power, it often committed terrible atrocities. That is why, since the Reformation, the true church has stood for freedom of conscience.

Charlie Kirk carried that same spirit. From what I have heard of him, his message was clear:

1. The gospel—salvation is found in Christ alone.
2. Truth—he spoke plainly about politics, policy, and culture.
3. Openness—he invited honest conversation with anyone.

Because of this, he influenced millions, persuading countless young people to turn away from the lies of our age and toward Christ. Charlie knew the risks—he had spoken openly of death threats—yet he willingly laid down his life for truth. His call was never to violence, but to Jesus.

And our call is the same. We are ambassadors for Christ, pleading with the world to be reconciled to God.

Our government exists to preserve order, justice, and defense. That is its domain—not the church’s. Our calling, as Christian citizens, is to stand for truth, and that truth is found in the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the way, the life, and the truth.

Receiving the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13

The letter to the Thessalonian believers begins with thanks to God for the huge change in their lives because of Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 expresses the impact of this change when it says:

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV) For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

Those who believed in Jesus were so transformed that people were talking about it, even in faraway places.

In the second chapter, once again, gratitude is expressed to God. This time, the thanksgiving is for the way the Thessalonians received the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV) For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Looking at this verse, notice that the thing the authors are thankful for is that the Thessalonians received the word of God for what it was in truth, i.e., the word of God. The authors express gratitude that those who believed recognized the truth.

Before this thanksgiving is expressed, twelve verses describe how the messengers were received and how they conducted themselves. Three things stand out. First, the messengers were bold. Second, the messengers were sincere. And third, the messengers were loving.

Verse 13 says that the word of God “effectively works in you who believe.” According to Hebrews 4:12, the word of God is “living and powerful,” i.e., it is effective. In Isaiah 55:11, God says:

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it.

Clearly, then, the word of God is powerful! This is why the boldness, sincerity, and love of the messengers are so significant. The focus was not the messengers; the focus was the message. The messengers were not powerful and effective; the message was powerful and effective.

Consider their boldness. Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was it] in deceit.

As you look at these verses, notice that the authors say, “we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.”

They mention how they were “spitefully treated in Philippi. They were beaten so that their backs were torn up and bloody, and they were put in stocks overnight. This beating was illegal, and so the city leaders begged them to leave and not press charges. Then the people who had stirred up trouble for them in Philippi followed them to Thessalonica. Looking back at verse 2, the authors say, “…in much conflict.” This is a kind way of saying that the message was violently opposed. It took a lot of courage to speak out when their lives were on the line! That is what boldness means. They were not rude. They were not obnoxious or offensive. They were not angry, but with the threat of death facing them, they spoke clearly, simply, and convincingly so that people could decide for themselves if what they were hearing was true.

If they had not summoned enough courage to face the consequences, the Thessalonians would not have heard the message, and we would probably not be here today. If threats of death had stopped people from speaking the truth, the gospel would have been stopped. 

How do we do with speaking the truth?

I confess that my cowardice has often stopped me from speaking when I should. Boldness must accompany the message, and in the same way, sincerity must accompany the message.

In verses 4 through 6, they point out three ways in which their sincerity showed itself.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 (NKJV) 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

 

First, their sincerity showed itself in the fact that they did not try to please men. Looking at verse 5, we see that they did not use flattering words. They did not try to “butter people up.” People pleasers and con artists have many approaches, and as we get older, we start to believe we have seen them all. We become jaded so that everyone is suspect, and we think those who get taken in are gullible or naive. We look for and expect the con, but no one spotted any people pleasing in Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Even now, in their words, we do not see that they are trying to trick us.

Power or money are usually tied to the con. Power and money are the second and third ways in which their sincerity showed itself. Looking at verse 5 again, notice they did not use words as a “cloak for covetousness.” That is a fancy way of saying, “We did not try to get money from you.” Looking at verse 6, notice that they did not seek glory or make demands. That is another way of saying, “We did not try to get power.”

Their sincerity showed itself because they did not benefit in any way by speaking the truth. The benefit they received was pleasing God and seeing the Thessalonians turn from idols to serve the living and true God. This is what love does, and love is that third thing that stands out about how the messengers conducted themselves. We see love demonstrated in verses 7 and 8.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NKJV) 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Looking at these verses, we see that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were tender and gentle with the people. A mother would never scold a nursing baby. When I have seen mothers nursing babies, they always seem to be staring at them adoringly. It is a precious and tender thing to behold. Along with this, there are few things as scary as a mama when her baby is threatened. Generally speaking, mothers will die for their babies without a second thought. That is how these three men were with the Thessalonians. Quite literally, they put their lives on the line to give them the gospel.

How do we do in these departments? Are we courageous? Are we sincere? Are we loving?

When we get angry because someone has a different view, are we not trying to get our own way?

As a church loses attendees, offerings fall off, and it becomes difficult to keep the doors open. At that point, it becomes difficult to be bold, sincere, and loving for the sake of our neighbor. Instead, it becomes paramount to keep the doors open. People don’t come to church to keep the doors open. People come to church because the message is life-changing, powerful, and effective. We want our children to grow up in the church because we want them to grow up knowing the life-changing, powerful, effective message. We want them to grow up knowing the joy of the Lord, so we make sure to get them to church. Do we want the same thing for our neighbors?

Faith, Love, and Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

We have been considering 1 Thessalonians, and so far, we have looked at the letter writers, how their lives were transformed, and how their relationship with the Thessalonians began. A key point is that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were in Thessalonica for a very short time. In view of the short time, the results of their ministry in Thessalonica were astounding. Many people believed in Jesus and turned from idols to serve the living and true God.

Having been forced to leave after such a brief time, the three men wrote to confirm the Thessalonians in their new faith. In verse 4, they affirm the Thessalonians and state their confidence that they were chosen by God.

Here is the question I want us to consider: How did Paul, Silas, and Timothy know that God chose the Thessalonians?

We find the answer in verses two and three. Let’s look at these verses.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NKJV) 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

They knew God chose the Thessalonians because of their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. These three things were the evidence that showed God chose them. These three things are mentioned in other Scriptures. Let’s look at a couple of these other Scriptures.

Colossians 1:3-5 (NKJV) 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

In Colossians, Paul gives thanks for the Colossians in the same manner in which he gave thanks for the Thessalonians. These three things are also listed in 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.

Here in Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the importance of love over faith and hope. But in 1 Thessalonians and Colossians, he gives them in the order they are built. 

I want to examine the way these three things are built because, as 2 Peter 1:8 says, “if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

First, then, let’s look at faith.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 says “work of faith.” Faith is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built. John 3:16 establishes this with the simple statement, “whoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life!”

Jesus said to those who sought to follow Him,

John 6:29 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Hebrews adds to this thought when it says,

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith works. I do not mean by this that we need to work to be saved, but just the opposite. We are saved by faith. 

When we believe that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, we will diligently seek Him. This belief will change our lives; the most significant change will be love.

We are talking about faith, love, and hope, and now we have come to love. The source of love is faith, and love is the source of hope. Romans 5:5 says,

Romans 5:5 (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts. We cannot do this by concentrating on loving God. However, we can do it by focusing on God’s love for us. 1 John 4:19 says,

1 John 4:19 (NKJV) We love Him because He first loved us.

The source for us knowing the love of God is the sacrifice of Jesus. 1 John 3:16 tells us,

1 John 3:16 (NKJV) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

We develop faith by focusing on God's word and meditating on it day and night. 

The world understands that what we think is very important. Many teachers and counselors teach us that we must be mindful of what we think and take time to reflect. In relation to this mindfulness, we must think positive thoughts.

This principle of mindfulness and positive thinking was brought home to me when a friend suggested I recite the Serenity Prayer every day. I often hear this in connection with battling addictions. The Serenity Prayer goes like this:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

However, I was working on something else at the time and decided to recite Psalm 23 every day. Wow, what a difference it made in my life! That’s all I can say: “Wow!”

Over and over and over, the Bible tells us to meditate on the word of God. Talk about life-transforming power!—If your thoughts trouble you, if you cannot sleep at night, if you need courage to face tomorrow, if you want to know true success, if you want to be happy, if you want to have hope for tomorrow, do this! Find a Scripture that appeals to you or fits your need and recite it every day, even multiple times throughout the day.

The result of this will be:

1. Your faith will grow
2. Your love for God will grow
3. You will find hope

Hope is the third evidence that we are chosen by God. We have hope in all our labors and even in suffering that God is present with us. We have hope that, as our Father, He is taking care of us. We are certain that the future is bright even in the darkest time, even when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. We know that if our body is broken and we die, we will be present with the Lord and we will find comfort, peace, and joy in His presence.

This unshakable hope has sustained Christians in all ages. This hope sustains those who give their lives for their faith. This hope sustains those who suffer from incurable diseases. This hope sustains those who battle depression. This hope inspires those who serve others.

This simple plan can be implemented in your life with only minimal effort. Pick a Scripture and recite it every day. If the Spirit leads you to a different Scripture, recite that one. I find it convenient to recite my passage when I get up in the morning and before I go to bed at night.

As always, if you want to talk about this, I am always happy to make time for you.