Psalm 34:16

Psalm 34:16  

The face of the Lord     

Verse 16 continues the theme of verse 15 in sombre fashion. The ancients believed that if the Lord turned His face or hid His face from them it effectively meant that He had forgotten them. This fear of the Lord being forgetful brings only despair and anguish. It may seem, at times, that we are forgotten; when prayers go unanswered, when depression and darkness set in, when the world seems to be against us and we feel isolated and alone. “Have You forgotten me Lord? Have You turned Your face away from me?” 

Listen to me, if you walk with the Lord God and are trusting in Him by faith then He will NEVER turn His face away. Whatever may be happening, you can believe that He has it under control and that somehow, He is working things out according to His purpose. The ones who really should be worried, and are not, are those who continually practice evil and do not consider themselves accountable to God. Here is a solemn warning, you cannot play around, you cannot live your life ignoring your Creator. If you do, your name will be blotted from the earth. In fact, it is better to live a life of suffering with God than it is to live a life of self-gratification without Him. This passage is so important that the apostle Peter picks it up and quotes in full in 1 Peter 3:10-12. Let me quote from him, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.”

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