Testifying to God's Goodness in Adversity

Today’s focus is on the testimony of God’s goodness, drawn from Psalm 34:1-8 and illustrated through both biblical and contemporary stories. Life often brings seasons where we feel overlooked, underestimated, or even set aside, much like David hiding in a cave or Shadur Sanders slipping in the NFL draft. Yet, these moments are not the end of our story—they are opportunities for God to reveal His faithfulness and for us to discover the depth of His goodness.

David’s declaration, “I will bless the Lord at all times,” was not made from a place of comfort, but from a place of survival. He praised God not after the victory, but in the midst of the struggle. This is a call to praise God not just when things are going well, but especially when we are in the cave, in the valley, or in the shadows. Our praise is most powerful when it is born out of adversity, when we choose to trust God’s plan even when we cannot see the outcome.

Survival is not a passive act; it is an act of faith. God does not always keep us from trouble, but He delivers us through it. Like David, we are called to remember the storms we have survived—not as marks of defeat, but as testimonies of God’s deliverance. Each trial refines our vision, allowing us to see God’s hand at work and to walk with a new confidence that is rooted in His presence.

Standing in God’s strength means recognizing that our stability does not come from our own abilities, but from the One who holds us up. When we cry out, God hears and lifts us, giving us the courage to stand even when the world doubts us. This strength is not for us alone; it is meant to be shared. We are called to savor the sweetness of God’s goodness and to testify to others, letting our stories encourage those who are still in the midst of their own struggles.

Ultimately, the challenge is to share our testimony—not just of survival, but of God’s sustaining power and unfailing love. When we speak of what God has done in our lives, we honor Him, strengthen others, and remind ourselves that we are standing on the promises of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Survival is an Act of Faith True survival is not about avoiding hardship, but about trusting God to bring us through it. David’s testimony was not that God kept him from trouble, but that God delivered him out of it. Our own stories of survival are evidence of God’s faithfulness, and each storm we endure becomes a chapter in our testimony. [46:42]
• 2. Praise Begins in the Shadows The most authentic praise often arises from our darkest moments. David praised God from the cave, not the palace, and Shadur Sanders declared his faith in God even when overlooked. Our willingness to bless the Lord in adversity shapes our character and reveals the depth of our trust in Him. [44:00]
• 3. God’s Presence Transforms Our Vision When God brings us through trials, He changes the way we see ourselves and our circumstances. We begin to walk with a new confidence, not because of our own strength, but because we have seen the Savior show up for us. This transformed vision allows us to move forward unashamed, radiant with the light of God’s presence. [51:10]
• 4. Standing in God’s Strength, Not Our Own Our ability to stand is not rooted in our own power, but in God’s sustaining grace. Like David, we may face overwhelming odds, but God’s strength keeps us from collapsing under the weight of our burdens. This realization humbles us and reminds us to rely on God rather than our own abilities or the opinions of others. [53:09]
• 5. Savor and Share the Sweetness of God’s Goodness Experiencing God’s goodness is not just for our own benefit—it is meant to be shared. When we savor the sweetness of what God has done, we are compelled to testify and encourage others. Our stories of God’s faithfulness can inspire hope and faith in those who are still waiting for their breakthrough. [58:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:13] - Announcements and Community Updates
• [33:02] - Worship: “Lord, I Need Your Grace”
• [35:57] - Opening Prayer: Mold Us, Lord
• [38:34] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:1-8
• [39:59] - Introduction: A Testimony of God’s Goodness
• [40:38] - Shadur Sanders: Overlooked but Not Forgotten
• [43:18] - David’s Cave: Praising in the Dark
• [45:58] - When You Feel Overlooked
• [46:42] - Surviving the Storm
• [49:49] - Survival as an Act of Faith
• [51:10] - God’s Presence and New Vision
• [53:09] - Standing in God’s Strength
• [56:25] - Savoring God’s Goodness
• [58:54] - The Potato Pie Story: Savoring the Sweetness
• [60:48] - The Power of Testimony
• [64:49] - Challenge: Share Your Story
• [66:08] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Psalm 34:1-8 (ESV) — 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 34:1, when does David say he will bless the Lord? What does this reveal about his attitude in difficult times?
2. In verse 4, what did David do when he was afraid, and how did God respond?
3. The sermon mentions that David was not in the palace but in a cave when he wrote these words. What does this setting add to the meaning of his praise? [[44:00]]
4. What does David mean when he says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good”? How does this connect to the story about the potato pie in the sermon? [[58:54]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Survival isn’t passive. It’s an act of faith.” How does David’s experience in the cave show that survival is more than just making it through hard times? [[49:49]]
2. Why is praise in the shadows or in the cave considered more powerful or authentic than praise after the victory? [[44:00]]
3. The pastor said, “When God brings you through a storm, you don’t just come out alive. You come out with a different vision.” What does it mean for God’s presence to transform our vision? [[51:10]]
4. The sermon challenges us to share our testimony. Why is it important to tell others about God’s goodness, especially when we are still in the middle of our struggles? [[01:00:48]]

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you felt overlooked, underestimated, or set aside. How did you respond in that season? Did you find it hard or easy to praise God? What would it look like to “bless the Lord at all times” in your current situation? [[44:00]]
2. The sermon says, “Survival is not a passive act; it is an act of faith.” Is there a challenge you are facing right now where you need to trust God to bring you through, rather than just hoping to avoid trouble? What would it look like to act in faith this week? [[49:49]]
3. David’s praise started in the cave, not the palace. Is there a “cave” or dark place in your life where you need to start praising God, even before you see the outcome? How can you do that practically? [[44:00]]
4. The pastor shared a story about savoring the sweetness of God’s goodness, like tasting a special potato pie. What is one specific way you have experienced God’s goodness recently? How can you “savor” that moment and let it encourage you? [[58:54]]
5. The sermon encourages us to share our testimony. Who is one person you can share your story of God’s faithfulness with this week? What might hold you back from sharing, and how can you overcome that? [[01:04:49]]
6. The pastor said, “Our ability to stand is not rooted in our own power, but in God’s sustaining grace.” Are there areas in your life where you have been relying on your own strength? What would it look like to lean on God’s strength instead? [[53:09]]
7. When you look back at storms you have survived, do you see them as marks of defeat or as testimonies of God’s deliverance? How can you reframe your story to see God’s hand at work? [[46:42]]