Psalm 34:1-7 “By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”

1 Samuel 21:10-13 “David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. The servants of Achish said to him, ‘Isn’t this David the king of the land? Didn’t they sing to one another about him in dances, saying, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” ‘ David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath. He changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.”

Sometimes our effort and relying on God can go hand in hand. Resting in God and trusting in Him for help doesn’t mean we don’t do anything! As we saw in Psalm 33, we don’t just rely on ourselves. But that doesn’t mean we don’t do what we can while recognizing that God is in control, and understanding that our salvation and protection is up to Him. Here David realized that He was in trouble and feigned madness, but He realizes that God is the one who ultimately provided His salvation! The key is acting with humility, trusting in God, and praising Him when things work out.

How does it make you feel that “the Lord’s angel encamps around those who fear Him”?

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

For additional worship: Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven – Acoustic (Emu Music)