Written ~ 11-02-2023
Psalm 34:12-17
12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil; He will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
If we look at the world today, what do we see? People striving for the next best thing, pursuing money and possessions as if it will bring the happiness they seek, doing whatever they can to climb higher, to be the top achiever. It’s the world’s view that those are things that bring them a long and prosperous life. But what does the Word of God say will bring us a long life and a prosperous life?
- Keep your tongue from speaking evil (stop using profanity)
- Stop your lips from telling lies (discontinue lying through your teeth)
- Turn away from evil and do good (turn your back on sin, do something good)
- Search for peace, and work to maintain it (embrace peace, don’t let it get away)
Maybe… not all the time, but I would say a great percentage of those who are striving for money and possessions as their way to happiness are probably trying to climb over the person in front of them in order to get the highest reward. It wouldn’t be unusual to see some backbiting and lying so they can inch a little further up the corporate ladder. But is that the way to a long and prosperous life? No. At least not in a Biblical point of view. As believers we are to be searching for peace, looking to do good, then maintain that way of life and work at it… Why? Because “…the eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right…” We have the Lord watching everything we do, He knows what we are thinking, what our desires are, and He is watching through the lens of righteousness… it says in verse 34:16, “…the Lord turns His face against those who do evil…” Once we have given our hearts to the Lord, we should be striving to turn from our old ways, to seek out the way of the Lord so when we cry out to the Lord for help, He hears us and will be right there to help us… Verse 34:15, “…the eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their cries for help…”
In verses 34:14 and 16, the evil person those verses are talking about would be the non-believer, why do I say that? Because they haven’t yet been washed by the cleansing blood of Jesus, they haven’t yet experienced the renewal of their spirit, the Holy Spirit hasn’t taken up residence in their hearts. Therefore, no matter what “good” they think they are doing isn’t yet covered by the saving grace of God.
“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?”
Then give your heart and life over to the One who can help you achieve that very thing. Just keep in mind that what God sees as having a long and prosperous life, may look a lot differently than what you expect. Don’t be one who continues in your evil ways, where you are disconnected from the truth of the Bible and separated from the Lord God for eternity. Verse 34:16 says, “…He will erase their memory from the earth…” Let’s be people of faith! Learn the truth of the Scriptures, live our lives worthy of being called children of God! Let’s have full confidence without any doubt that, “…The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles…”
We have a Father in Heaven who loves us so much, He wants us to live our lives abundantly, He wants our hearts to long for peace and for us to do good in His sight. I’m thankful for His forgiveness of sin in my life, I desire greatly to please the Lord in everything I do. I want to know that when I cry out to my Father, He hears me and rushes to my side and provides protection and help, no matter what I am going through.
Won’t you turn your heart from your evil and ungodly ways and follow the Lord? It’s quite honestly the best decision I could have ever made for my life. And I wholeheartedly pray for those whose hearts are on the fence, that you would consider giving your life over to the Lord.
Pray this prayer, humble your heart before the Lord and ask Him to come into your life and become a new creation, have your life refreshed and cleansed of sin.
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! Now, “Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.
~AMEN~