Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:12-16)

Our search for the good life is often learned in times of duress.  This is when we discover that life has no meaning at all without God. 

Apparently, Psalm 34 was written when David, its author fled as a fugitive from Saul, the king of Israel.  According to the title, the psalm was written when David was dismissed from Achish, when he feigned madness before Achish’s servants.  In verse 12 David poses a question: Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?  David assumes this is what all men, especially the young (vs.11), seek.  The thoughts that follow point them to the way.

First, David says:  Keep your tongue from evil.  Sins of the tongue are numerous and difficult to avoid.  James says: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)  Moses spoke “unadvisedly with his lips”. (Psalms 106:33)  Job “darkened counsel by words without knowledge”. (Job 38:2)  Peter was rebuked for his ill advised thoughts. (Matthew 16:23)  If one would truly have life, he must master his words.

Second, he exhorts them to depart from evil and do good.  Incredibly, even under unfair circumstances, David yielded to God’s will.   Twice during the sojourning years, David has an opportunity to take Saul’s life.  On the first occasion, David cut off the corner of Saul’s robe when Saul had come unknowingly into the cave where David was hiding.  When Saul discovered that David was in the cave, he said:  "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. (1 Samuel 24:17)  If one is to have "the good life", he must seek the good of all men, even his enemy.

Third, let him seek peace and pursue it.  He must strive to promote goodwill and harmony among others.  Paul says: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18) Peter also said: Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- (1 Peter 2:13-15) Even though unbelievers are inclined to blaspheme Christians, hopefully, they will be constrained by the peaceable lifestyle of believers to reconsider.

The truly good life is found in doing what is right in spite of the circumstances, and knowing that God is trustworthy.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. God cares and that he hears our cry.  In the same context David says: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalms 34:8)

Thus, David invites the young (vs.11) to come and listen to him out of the wisdom of his own experiences.  Over one-thousand years later, Peter places the same thoughts before God’s elect, those who are enduring a fiery trial, those who were without a home in this world. (I Peter 3:8-13)  Guard your heart, govern your life, and enjoy richly the presence of God.

By George Slover

"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11,12)

In the two letters to the Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are several prayers recorded in these two books. A study of those prayers will reveal the spiritual emphasis of Paul‘s thanksgivings and petitions, and an acknowledgment of God‘s presence in their daily lives. He prays they will walk in a manner worthy of God.  

Paul first recognizes the reality of their calling. They have been called by the gospel into a relationship with God. It is a high, holy, and heavenly calling. It is no light matter. This calling comes with serious obligations. The people of God have been called to be true to their vocation. 

The saints are called to please God through goodness and faith. They are called God‘s workmanship created for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)  They are to be zealous of good deeds. (Titus 2:14) Paul prays that God will complete the work he has begun through his spirit cooperating with the holy desires of the saints.

In his first letter, Paul remembers their faith. He prays that God will fulfill this work of faith. James says that such a faith manifests itself by works. (James 2:24)  A working faith is an active energy that will lead one to more earnest prayer and a closer walk with God.

The ultimate end of this process is the glory of God. It is to that end that Paul prays “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him“. Christ has a name that is above all names and is worthy of glory. Christ is honored through holy character and conduct. One day the Saints will be glorified in him and reign with him forever.

Dear brother, remember your calling is from God. Seek the strength and power that comes from him. Put it into action and let the glory of Christ be your one great aim.

By George Slover

Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh”. (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

Students and authors would readily testify to the truth of this statement from God’s word.  Study is wearisome.  And there are a lot of books in the world.

However, there is one book, which towers above all others.  Instead of bringing weariness, this book brings rest and refreshment to those who will study it!  This “Book of books” is the Bible, a unique collection of sixty-six specific books bound under one cover to make one book.

The Bible is unique because it alone claims to have been written by Almighty God, using authors as his penmen.  ( II Timothy 3:16,17)  The word “inspired” in this text literally means to be God-breathed!  The Bible is God’s love letter to mankind.  Its message is summarized by one verse:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.  (John 3:16)

Because the Bible has been written by God, it can do what no other book will ever be able to do for us. Its sacred writings are able to “make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”.  (II Timothy 3:15)  Peter speaks of his Christian readers as “having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever”. (I Peter 1:23)  The Bible is a living and life-giving book.  When it is believed and obeyed, new life results!

How precious is the Bible to you?  May your experience be as Jeremiah’s when he wrote of God’s word:  “Your words were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart”.  ( Jeremiah 15:16)

George Slover

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! “(Psalms 119:11)

The above verse is a truly practical one.  The best defense against sin is reading and meditating on God’s word.  I would venture to say that almost all of my readers would agree with this.  So, why is it so difficult to get folks to devote some time each day to daily reading, meditation, and prayer?  Maybe, it is because we fail to see the seriousness of the battle!

If you were deserted in a wilderness, but you had a manual that listed essential rules of survival, would you read it?  Absolutely!  Reality:  You are in the middle of a wilderness. You are in a battle for the survival of your soul!  Reality:  God’s word is your survival manual!

Unfortunately, we view the discipline of daily Bible reading with the same enthusiasm of a child who is told to brush his teeth!  “We ought to do that”, but we are not fully committed!  In modern times such apathy is inexcusable.  Use that MP3 player to download gospel singing, gospel preaching, or the text of Scripture.  Remove the CD with secular music from your player, and insert one with gospel music.  Take time to pray!  Your spiritual survival may depend upon it!

Time with God each day is not just about knowledge.  It is about your eternal destiny.  It is about connecting with God!

George Slover

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:3,4)

The message in this context is specifically addressing women; however, there are some principles that would apply to all disciples. True disciples give greater care to adorning the soul, than to the physical body.

Society has always placed a great emphasis on how we look on the outside. Much of the way men and women dress, whether too much or too few clothes, is driven by a desire to impress other humans. In the world, what is on the outside counts far more than what is on the inside.

Peter’s statement here is a common figure of speech known as a Hebraism. (See John 6:27 as another example) Peter is not forbidding the use a bodily adornment, but is asserting it’s utter worthlessness in comparison to what is on the inside.

God primarily looks at the heart. It is the hidden man of the heart that must be formed into the likeness of Christ. It is on the inside where the word of God does it’s work, transforming one into something very beautiful.

A truly transformed the heart manifests itself by a meek and quiet spirit. Those who have a gentle spirit control of their emotions. They do not quickly flash into anger. They remain calm and peaceful. They are not motivated by self-assertion or constant fault-finding.

Peter says this gentle spirit is “precious”. The word used here is also found in Mark 14:3 of the precious ointment used by Mary to anoint the Lord. Paul also uses the same word to discourage the use of costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9) But the proper adorning of the soul is of great value in God’s eyes.

When most of our time in energy is devoted to outward adorning, the inward work of God stands still. Instead of growing more heavenly minded we become more earthly minded. If we intend to please God, we must be working on cultivating the spirit and purity of Christ.

By George Slover