10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.11They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
This quotation from Psalm 34:12-16 is a precious promise from God. In relation to the previous verses that speaks of the blessings of living like Christ, Peter takes the theme of Psalmist’ blessings of restraining ones’ tongues and lips—the promise of the fullness of life and seeing the good/happy days. The word “Life” (Zo-en) here, is commonly used in the Gospels. It refers to everlasting life(Matthew 7:14; Mark 9:45; Luke 10:25; John 3:16). So, strictly speaking, it cannot be translated “long life” as many might suggest. The longevity of life does not signify the blessings of God per se (Example of King Hezekiah, Isaiah 38, 39:8). It is in living and fulfilling the purposes of God that makes life worthwhile and significant (example of Jesus Christ, John 19:30).
Remember Jesus, Stephen and other Christian martyrs who died young, did they not live their lives to the fullest? Far from it! They lived their lives to the fullest and fulfilled the goals of God for them. Then, how do we understand the phrase “see good days”? Thayer’s Greek lexicon renders it this way:“of the feeling awakened by what is good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy.” In Greek, the literal reading goes like this: “to see days good.” In other words, if a person wishes to see their days happy and pleasant (though fleeting as it might be), they better keep their mouths from lies and slanderous talk. Too much talk, sin is not absent (Proverbs 10:19). There is much pain and regret in the misuse of our tongues. The Bible repeatedly warns the readers to hear and pay heed to it!
Not only so, if one desires to live life to the fullest, they must turn/forsake from evil and seek peace (the peace of God) and pursue it. This is the image of repentance and re-enforcing it with doing good works. It follows with the image of a person continuing to seek peace from God (knowing that we all fall and stumble). The willingness to forsake evil is called for (must). There is no such thing as unwilling repentance. As the person receives the peace from God, now, the heaven is open for God to hear his prayers (Isaiah 59:1-3). With the confession of sins and repentance (forsaking evil), now, God’s special attention gets to them (John 14:23), and their prayers gain access into God’s presence (as Jesus communed with the Father, John 17).
Prayer: God grant us a willing heart to forsake evil and do good. Help us seek peace that comes from you. We confess our sins and heal us, In Christ name, amen.
