DO YOU WANT A GOOD LIFE

 

         

A dam was built in a stream that was flowing down a hillside. It took some time to gather the stones and put them in place, but eventually the dam was built. The level of the water began to rise. But there was a problem; a small trickle of water had found its way through the rocks. Before long the trickle had moved a few small stones, releasing more water, which then had the force to remove some larger stones. What began as a trickle became a flood and the dam was swept away.

When David’s was fleeing from Saul, he found refuge at a cave in Adullam (1 Sam.22:1-2). From there he wrote his own lessons of faith in Psalm 34. In verse 11 David says, “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 1t’s not clear who he is calling children here. Was David addressing children who may have gathered around him or was it his spiritual children?

Whatever the case those who teach children do an honorable job and their reward shall be glorious. Those who wish to transmit godly principles should win the ear of the young. We are required to inculcate the fear of God upon the next generation. Solomon advises the youth “remember your Creator in the days of your youth before ...the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’” (Ec. 12:1). Solomon wants the youth to remember that they did not just happen to be

Somebody took time to create the youth and they belong to him. He exhorts them to remember their Creator in the morning of their lives so that they give him their best years. The young, in the vigor of youth and the freshness of life are likely to ignore God and pursue the desires of flesh. They are likely to forget that this life is merely a brief prelude to eternity. Solomon tells them “put away evil from your flesh for childhood and youth are vanity” (Ec. 11:10).

David says, “come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord”. He was a great poet, a famous musician and a fearless soldier. But, he does not say to his children, I will teach you how to write poems or to play the harp, or to handle a spear. The fear of the Lord is more valuable than all arts and sciences. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).

Those who fear the Lord enjoy great benefits. The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him (Ps. 33:18). It’s wonderful to know that God is watching over you wherever you are; it motivates you to do the right thing thus escaping the devils snares. God is a help and a shield to those who fear him. He will bless them that fear him "(Ps. 115:11-13). The mercy of the Lord is forever on those who fear him and his righteousness to the children's children (Ps.103:17-18). What amazing benefits!

The fear of the Lord is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding (Job.28:28).  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death (Prov.14:27). In Proverbs 3 Solomon advises his son “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones vv.7-8.

 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold…nothing you desire can compare with her. .. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her (vv.13-18)

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you... Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid…your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster... for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared(vv.21-26).

In Psalm 34:12 David posed a question “who is the man who desires life and loves many days that he may see good?” then he adds “, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies”. Mere existence is not life; the desire of all men is to live a long fulfilled life. True and joyful living it is not given to all men.

The popularly conception in our culture is that “good life” is rooted in health and wealth. But, David takes a different direction. He says that godliness epitomizes the good life. Apostle Peter when defining what a good life is to persecuted Christians quoted David’s words (1 Peter 3:10). The two men give three character traits of a good life: pure speech, godly actions, being peaceable.

David says  that whoever loves life and desires to see many good days should keep his tongue from evil and his lips from telling lies (Ps.34:13).  David connects a beautiful life to the way we use our words. Evil words and deceptive speech suffocate life; True and righteous words adorn it. Keep your speech pure, say what you mean and mean what you say. Let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” (James 5:12).

Be a reliable and dependable person. Keep your promises especially to God. Solomon warns “do not be quick with your mouth ...When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin... do not protest my vow was a mistake! Why should God be angry at you and destroy the works of your hand? (Ec. 5:2-.5).

Paul says “each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully...in your anger do not sin... let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers (Eph. 4:29). Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt (Col 4:6). Jesus said “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment” (Matt. 12:33-37).

Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov.18:21). A fool’s mouth is his destruction and his lips are the snare of his soul (Prov. 18:7). A wholesome tongue is a tree of life (Prov.15:4). James 1:26 says “if anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Bridle your tongue.

David said, “I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” (Ps. 17:3). I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth” (Ps.39:1). Don’t harm yourself or others with the use of your tongue. Restrain it and refuse to speak evil, vain or idle words. Satan’s objective is to gain control of your tongue and use it to destroy you.

The second character trait of a good life is godly actions.  David says “Turn from evil and do good (Ps. 34:14). Say no to sinful behaviors while actively pursuing righteous deeds. Evil is always hovering around. Cain got angry when God rejected his sacrifice. God said to him “Why are you angry? If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen 4:6-7).

Hate evil and avoid it; the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. God hates the evil way and the perverted mouth (Prov. 8:13). By the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil (Prov.16:6). It is common for people to do evil to others out of anger when they are wronged. Make a determination to shun that. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless (1 Peter 3:9).

Do not just shun evil, do good. In Isaiah 1:16-17, God told his people “cease to do evil, to learn to do good”. Doing good is a sacrifice that pleases God (Heb. 13:16). Those who know to do good and do not do it commit sin (James 4:17). Do not grow weary while doing good as you have opportunity do good to all (Gal. 6:9-10).

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so (Prov. 3:27). Our Lord Jesus went everywhere doing good (Acts 10:38). We must follow his example. We are created for good works (Eph. 2:10). Let’s do good to all people (Luke 6:33-36). If you want to have a good day, sow the seeds of goodness, you'll reap the harvest of goodness.

The third character trait of a good life is being peaceable. David says if you want a good life “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps.34:14). Nothing is more lovely than the tranquillity of peace. But this great blessing does not voluntarily present itself, it must be sought. Peace comes in when we receive Jesus as our Savior. Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14). We have peace with God because of what Jesus did (Rom 5:1)

Those whose mind is stayed on God have perfect peace (Isa. 26:3). Peace is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Jesus gives his children heavenly peace (John 14:27), when they let that peace rule their hearts (Col. 3:15). Jesus the Lord of peace can give his people peace at all times in every way (2 Thess. 3:16). God’s peace guards the heart and mind of those who trust in him (Phil 4:7).

A peaceable person is cautious not to offend others and he does not easily take offense.  But if a conflict arises he does what he can to resolve the matter quickly (Matt 5:24-25). He does not let the sun go down while still angry, he does not give the devil a foothold (Eph. 4:26-27). Proverbs 17:14 says “the beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”

Be willing to forgive whenever you are offended (Matt.18:32-35) and you will be at peace with your heavenly father (Matt 6:14-15). When you suffer unjustly, trust God to deal with the injustice rather than trying to vindicate yourself (1 Peter 2:23). So far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all men (Rom. 12:18). When your ways please the Lord, he will make even your enemies to be at peace with you (Prov.16:7).

Peace may sometimes be out of sight seek it and pursue it. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17-18). When our souls are at peace, we can live at peace with everyone. This world highly requires peacemakers.