Daily Devotional – Friday, July 29, 2022
The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Psalms 34:10 (NKJV)
When David escaped from King Saul, he sought refuge in the Philistine city of Gath. To avoid being killed by the Philistine, David pretended to be mad. On realizing his trick exposed him to more danger, he fled to the cave of Adullam.
It is possible that there were lions around the cave. David was familiar with lions considering he had killed one as a young shepherd (1 Samuel 17:36). As he listened to the powerful predators howling, David made a powerful inference.
Young Lions Shall Suffer Hunger
“The young lions lack and suffer hunger….” (Psalms 34:10). Even the mighty lioness sometimes lacks food for cubs. This happens especially during prolonged drought and may result in death.
The term ‘lion’ also denoted people who are tough, tyrannical and wicked. Contrary to popular beliefs, the rich and powerful also lack. For example, they may have an oversupply of food, clothing and luxuries of life but they may lack inner peace and genuine happiness.
The Righteous Shall Not Lack Any Good Thing
In contrast, “…those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.” What a reassuring observation! Even in times of peril, David expressed hope that God had not forsaken him. God would supply the needs of His faithful people.
There is a disclaimer, though. God ensures those who seek Him do not lack ‘any good thing’.
Think of it this way: If God refuses to give you what you ask for, it is not good for you, irrespective of what you believe or feel!
As we walk faithfully with God, we too can attest that, “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalms 84:11).
Prayer
Thank You, God, because You will not deny me that which is good for me.
What is your understanding of the ‘good things’ God promises to give those who seek Him?
I think they’re the exact wordings of Psalms 37.4 where David says that we should delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. Now our desires vary from one to another, one’s maybe a happy family, the other maybe being a renown writer others remarkable educational accomplishments… all of these among others are the good things He promises ‘and this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.’ 1 John 5.14
But then Mr Maina just an insight, God may not fulfil all our desires because most of them are for our own selfish gains and James did well to remind us this when he says ‘And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasure’ James 4.3
Thus whatever we do, and for this matter whatever we desire, let it be in the name of Christ and to the glory of God (Col 3:17)(1Cor 10:31)
Exactly, Hans. That is why it says we will not lack any ‘good’ thing. The word ‘good’ is very important. God, not us, defines what is ‘good’. It means that which is according to His will, not ours.