Turn!

Turn!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

David, the man after God's heart, writes the words of today's verse. The context was when David had to run from Abimelek, the king of Gath at the time. He was recognised as the David that had become more popular than the king of Israel at the time. When God is with a man, he cannot be ignored or forgotten. Even if you are in the far side of the desert, like John the Baptist, or banished to an island like John the Beloved, the call and assignment of God upon your life will place you in high demand. It may also place you in the path of danger, as was the case with David here. The fact that I am on assignment for God does not preclude you from the pressures of life and its tests and trials; however, I have the clear assurance and comfort of the presence of God that things will turn out well.

What this means is that I must be careful of the things that I focus on, or the things that are important to me. I cannot pursue two different masters or priorities at the same time; I will not be able to devote the same time and attention to both. David would know from personal experience the power of focus and commitment to the things of God. David laid it out when he said in the verse just before the verse above: "Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord". It takes a man who has the fear of God to teach other people the fear of God. You cannot give what you do not have. There has to be a turning away from evil and then doing good. I must seek peace and pursue it. I note that there is no room for inactivity or inaction. I cannot fold my hands and just take things for granted. Whatever I consider important will take time and effort. Am I willing to pay the price for what has eternal value? God's time of favour is here.