The Invitation of the Lord
(NASB) Psalm 34:11 “Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

The longing for good in life
(NASB) Psalm 34:12 “Who is the man who desires life
And loves length of days that he may see good?

Response to the Lord
(NASB) Psalm 34:13-14 “Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.”   

Truce of peace – Mizpah
Jacob’s father-in-law pursued the fleeing Jacob.  Jacob did not tell Laban he was leaving with his vast herds and flocks, servants and large family.  In this way Jacob deceived Laban.  Laban pursued him for seven days.   Seven days!

The Lord told Jacob to go back to the land of his birth.  Laban, the night before he caught up to Jacob, he heard from God through a dream.  “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.”  (Genesis 31:24)

Then the two men faced each other.  Both believed in God.  Both were deceivers.  Both were convinced by God to obey Him.  They made a truce between them.

Jacob set up a stone as a pillar and his family gathered stones and piled them in a heap – Jacob and Laban named it Mizpah.  “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.”  (NASB Genesis 31:49)

(NASB) Genesis 31:52-53 “This heap is a witness and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this heap to you for harm, and you will not pass by this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.’”

~ Take it to heart ~

What are you and I to do as we seek the Lord?

(NASB) Psalm 34:14
“Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.”