The second half of Psalm 34 is David’s guide to living in God’s favor. The bottom line, show God your heart and give the Lord the reverence He is due. God is watching. He never promised a problem free life. In fact, Jesus told His disciples just prior to the cross, that in this world there would be trouble. He followed, however with “Take Heart, I have overcome the world!” John 16:33.
We live lives that have all kinds of issues. It is easy to lose heart and focus. When we do we turn to our own devices to solve problems and find in fact that it is impossible to do life on our own. Then as we submit to God and His leadership, He carries us through. In the psalm, David makes that distinction.
If we will trust and follow God, He will meet our needs, prepare our hearts, and protect us from our enemies.
If, on the other hand, one trusts in their own power and wisdom to survive the circumstances never end well, and the attitude of independence separates us from His patience and protection.
It all goes back to Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things, (Food, clothing, shelter protection and peace) will be added to You. Help me Lord, I want to trust you, follow you, and glorify you in all that I do!
God Bless You
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
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.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Walking With God 