Wanting Nothing, Wanting in Nothing

Today’s Scripture Threshings for Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Today’s Text: Psalm 34:4-12

Key Verse: ”The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (vs. 10, ESV)

In the days of Nehemiah’s youth, he testified of the Lord’s faithfulness, saying: “In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.” (9:15) God wants us to expend our strength in seeking Him. That’s why both the psalmist and the prophet Isaiah associated divine help with youthful strength. Go ahead and compare how the psalmist affirms God’s providence for “young lions” with Isaiah’s affirmation of God’s strength for “young men” (40:30). You will see how God wants us to trust in His strength.

In our futility or frailty we thinks provision is a function of efforts and striving, but today’s text points us to a deeper truth. We have heard such aphorism as “labor is the wand of favor,” but God’s word points us to a better way. Man must work hard but his trust must not be placed upon his strength or labor. That’s the motif behind the allegory of youth or young.

We can easily associate vitality and strength with youth — they are flexible, fresh, energetic and resilient. They’re full of confidence and daring. These attributes are blessings from the Lord to position a person for all things needed for life and godliness. We shall not be wanting in our needed strength if we trust in the Lord. That’s the key: we must be careful not to trust in these blessings than we trust in the Lord, the blesser. Our strength is a blessing, but what we need more than strength to profit in all good things, according to scripture, is godliness (1Timothy 4:8).

Strength does not save. Men of valor fall and fail. They face discouragement and disappointment. Even young lions, with all their physical energy and control suffer hunger; but, young or old, our secret of wanting nothing or wanting in nothing is in seeking the Lord. Through God’s strength we are able or enabled to achieve what we cannot achieve by means of strength and struggle. Philippians 4:19 assures us that God shall abundantly supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. As you learn to rely on God rather than on your own power and might, you are positioning yourself against defeat, disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Quote for the Day: “Whether you’re a believer or a nonbeliever, your life is an insult on God if you live it respecting created things than the Creator Himself.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear LORD, “In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.” (Nehemiah 9:15) Help me also to anchor my trust in you, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayer,

Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,

Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA

Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org

BBMme: E3F988D2

[Today’s Scripture Threshings is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]

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