There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:9-10)
In the previous devotion we focused upon the need to possess a reverence and fear of God in that we acknowledge His might and our weakness. David declares that those who fear Him and honor Him with their lives will not lack in any way. When it comes to lack and abundance, our first thoughts typically turn to the day-to-day material needs we have — food, shelter, clothing etc. — but it isn’t limited to that. For instance, Messiah told the rich, young ruler that if he would sell all his belongings and follow Him, he would be perfect, which is to say, whole or lacking nothing. Of course, the young man walked away without doing so. The point is, those who fear God will serve God with all their being, not just with what is convenient.
To underscore the point, David makes a comparison between young lions and those who seek the Lord. Some Jewish commentators suggest the Hebrew word translated as young lions actually refers to certain unbelievers — those who go about like ferocious beasts to acquire their sustenance. Moreover, in observing the strongest of animals in the wild we find that they are compelled to hunt for their food and will often go without. In sharp contrast, God provides more abundantly and readily for the weakest of His creatures; the embryo in its mother’s womb, the chick in the unhatched egg, the bird of the air and the fish in the sea.
In this world there are many who depend upon their own power and prowess to succeed; some do and some don’t. I would argue, though, that even those who succeed in business and financial affairs still lack; Messiah more or less made that point when he addressed the rich, young ruler who walked away from Yeshua sorrowful. On the other hand, those who fear God and who pursue Him with all their heart are promised abundance and wholeness. We may never acquire great wealth in terms of physical riches, but we are given the keys to the Kingdom; keys that open a fathomless supply of eternal riches to which nothing on earth can compare.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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