2025-07-02

The Secret of a Long & Prosperous Life: Reverence for the God of Justice Scripture - Psalm 34:11–15

The Secret of a Long & Prosperous Life: Reverence for the God of Justice

Scripture: Psalm 34:11–15 (NLT)

11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 For the eyes of the Lord watch over the righteous, and his ears are open to their cries...


#1 The Fear of the Lord: Rooted in His Just Character

True reverence for God begins with recognizing His holy justice (v. 15). He sees all actions—rewarding righteousness and confronting evil (v. 21). This isn’t terror of a tyrant, but awe for a Father who disciplines in love (Hebrews 12:6) and shields the faithful. To "fear the Lord" is to live with the sobering joy that every choice matters to a God who is both Judge and Redeemer.

#2 Reverence Lived Out: A Blueprint for Flourishing

God’s wisdom links our well-being to our integrity (vv. 12–14):

  • Guard your words: Silence deceit and slander (v. 13).
  • Redirect your actions: Reject evil; actively pursue good (v. 14a).
  • Champion peace: Be a relentless seeker and keeper of reconciliation (v. 14b).
    This is not mere morality—it’s worship. Our obedience flows from trusting God’s design for human flourishing.

#3 Ancient Wisdom Confirmed: Virtue Nourishes Life

"养生就是要养德"  ("To nourish life, one must nourish virtue.")
This Chinese proverb echoes Scripture: lasting prosperity is tied to ethical health. Just as a tree thrives in fertile soil, a soul rooted in God’s justice bears fruit in longevity and peace (Proverbs 14:27).



Application Questions

  1. Speech Audit: What patterns of speech (gossip, negativity, exaggeration) do you need to surrender to honor God?
  2. Action Check: Where is God calling you to actively replace a harmful habit with an act of goodness this week?
  3. Peacemaking: Is there a strained relationship you’ve avoided? How can you "search for peace" (v. 14) in humility?
  4. Trust in Justice: When wronged, do you seek revenge or trust God’s watchful care (v. 15)?

A Prayer of Reverence

Father, teach me to live in awe of You—the Just Judge who sees me and the Merciful Savior who hears me. Guard my tongue from evil; redirect my feet from harm. Make me a bold doer of good and a relentless builder of peace. I trust Your eyes are upon me and Your ears are open to my cry. Shape my life by Your wisdom, that my days may reflect Your eternal goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

p.s. This post was the output from DeepSeek with my following prompt:

Improve and complete the following devotion:

 

The Secret of A Long & Prosperous Life - Fear the Lord of Justice

 

Ps 34:11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?

13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!

14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

 

#1 The fear of the Lord is to know v15&21 He watch over people who do right or wrong and rewards or punishes them accordingly.

#2 It is shown in our behaviour. Speak no evil nor lies. Do good instead of evil. Seek peace and maintain it.

Application Questions

#3 The Chinese has a similar saying, 养生就是要养德 growing in virtues brings a long life.

 

Application Questions

 

A Short prayer

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