Radiant With Joy
David knew a thing or two about oppression. For ten years, he fled from King Saul who was on the warpath to kill him. First Samuel 21 tells about the time when David was on the run, and sought refuge with the priest Abimilech. One of Saul's servants recognized David and sold him out, so David again fled for safety--this time, to Achish, the king of Gath. Achish recognized him, too, as the person who had slain Goliath. Again, danger was imminent. David employed a last-ditch survival technique: he acted insane.
From David's personal brush with death and escape from his enemy came a comforting testimony immortalized in Psalm 34. Any follower of Jesus who has come through domestic violence and lives to tell the story can appreciate this psalm. Listen to this:
"I sought the LORD, and He answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed." ~ Psalm 34:4-5
The entire psalm is rife with references of personal deliverance following calling out to the LORD, who hears all prayers and earnestly desires to deliver the oppressed.
As a domestic violence survivor, my worship is more earnest than ever before as I attest to God's deliverance and provision. There's something really special about clearly connecting God's power to my need. In a way, I even appreciate my years of suffering because without them, there would have been no need for rescue, and I would not have seen God show up in my life in the way He did.
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©2022 by Julianne Knapp, first published 10.4.22
From David's personal brush with death and escape from his enemy came a comforting testimony immortalized in Psalm 34. Any follower of Jesus who has come through domestic violence and lives to tell the story can appreciate this psalm. Listen to this:
"I sought the LORD, and He answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed." ~ Psalm 34:4-5
The entire psalm is rife with references of personal deliverance following calling out to the LORD, who hears all prayers and earnestly desires to deliver the oppressed.
As a domestic violence survivor, my worship is more earnest than ever before as I attest to God's deliverance and provision. There's something really special about clearly connecting God's power to my need. In a way, I even appreciate my years of suffering because without them, there would have been no need for rescue, and I would not have seen God show up in my life in the way He did.
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 by Julianne Knapp, first published 10.4.22