Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
As kids, we used to say to each other, “If you wanna go on living…”, which usually meant we wanted them to either do something or stop doing something. Here, the apostle Peter told the churches in his care, and anyone who desires a good life to do these things and stop doing other things. These churches were beginning to face persecution and the desire of a long and healthy life was assuredly on their minds. They would heed these warnings. Amazing then that these words were already about 1,000 years old when they heard them because they are from Psalm 34:12-16.
Amazing too that they speak just as loudly today, 3,000 years later. Because we are in Christ and already have eternal life, then we keep our tongue from evil and deceit. We become instruments of peace and prayer. This is why Peter called for…
“unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
It was because they are evidence of a good life in the Lord. Let us be found guilty of loving life and seeing good days, even in trial.
Dear Lord, thank you for the life you gave us as a gift. Help us to return the favor by using this life for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church