Fear Of The Future

TO READ: Psalm 34:1-22

Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:9-10

David had seen lions during his days as a shepherd protecting his sheep. He knew their strength; he knew their ferocious protection of their cubs; he also knew that even strong young lions went hungry at times. So he compared God to an indestructible lion, and as his “cub,” David would never go hungry —never lack any good thing —while God was looking after him!

Life is unpredictable, isn’t it? Nobody’s job is secure anymore. Even presidents of large corporations cannot be certain they will be retained.

David knew what it was like to be a king one day and a fugitive the next! He had lost a job as shepherd, a job at Saul’s palace, and his position as captain in Israel’s army. Yes, David knew what it was to feel very insecure about the future, even to the point of wondering if he would starve to death! “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time” (Psalm 34:19).

He who taught us to pray, “Give us today the food we need” (Matthew 6:11), keeps a full larder for his hungry children. Of course, he expects those of us with laden baskets to share with those with empty stomachs. God used the priest Ahimelech to feed David. He doesn’t send bread from heaven any more than he sends pennies. He wants us to be part of the answer to others’ needs.