I sought the Lord , and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord , you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Psalms 34:4-10 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.34.4-10.NKJV
There are two, very different perspectives to this passage. Especially when it comes to the statements “there is no want to those who fear Him” and “those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing”.
A carnal mind will say, “If I fear God and seek Him, I can ask for anything I want and I will get it. I can force God to fulfill my wishes because He has promised it, and my words can hold Him captive to His promises.” Doesn’t this sound more like a boy and a genie in His lamp? Doesn’t this sound more like serving the demon of mammon? Doesn’t this sound like seeking the things of the world? Can’t we see the error in this carnal perspective? Isn’t it even clear to a child that this is NOT walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His disciples – who are our examples of the costly life (by the measures of this world) of being a follower of Christ, whose lives are the pattern of an abundant life of bold and peculiar separation from the ways of this world to receive the riches of His glory, to share in the sufferings of Christ. But how few are interested in sharing in the sufferings of Christ today? The gate and the path are narrow that leads to life, but broad is the path that leads to destruction.
There is another perspective – a Holy Spirit focused perspective – not guided by the flesh, but taught by the very nature of God, unveiling the Truth to His children that recognize His voice. This perspective recognizes that the things of this world are temporary, but the good gifts of God, like Hope, Faith, Love, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Integrity, Self Control – those do not rust and rot away, but they bear benefits for eternity. This perspective recognizes that this is not talking about fulfilling selfish wants and desires of our own, but that it is about what we need. Needs and wants are quite different. What we need is a life forgiven, redeemed, delivered and victorious over sin by The Lord God Almighty. We need a life alive with the Holy Spirit, guiding and teaching us to be more like Jesus Christ every day, drawing us further away from the worldly ways of the lost and closer to His righteousness, His love, His mercy, and His sacrifice. We need and abundant life, not filled so much by stuff and things and pleasures and enticements, but by a fear and longing for the Lord to come change us to be more like Him – to prepare us for a life removed from sin and the ways of the flesh.
Yes, these two perspectives are quite different, because they represent the messages of two different masters. One is the Spirit of Christ who tells us to lay down our life to walk in His ways if we want to follow Him. The other is the Spirit of Anti-Christ who twists scripture, offering excuses and justifications for continued wickedness, lawlessness, and worldliness.
If you are sitting among a gathering of people that make you feel more comfortable with your sin, you are likely sitting at a table of demons. If you are sitting among a gathering of people that encourage accountability and repentance, while remaining loving and forgiving, you are likely sitting at a table with growing children of God, disciples and ambassadors of Christ.
I pray that our eyes will be open to recognize the difference.
Harold J. Ballinger 