“Psalms in the Key of Life Series…”
Every day, no matter the weather, 20-year-old Justin Korva walked to work. Did we mention he lived three miles from work, in Texas, in the summer? One day, Andy Mitchell picked up Korva and gave him a ride to a fast-food restaurant. He didn’t know Korva at the time, but neither of them will ever forget the encounter now. Mitchell wrote on his Facebook page that he was impressed with his new friend’s work ethic:
“He told me he walks three miles to work and back home every day. To all the people that say they want to work but can’t find a job or don’t have a vehicle, all I can say is you don’t want it bad enough!
Mitchell then decided he had to help Korva out. He took up a collection to buy his neighbor a car so he could get to work on time, whatever the weather. His friends put a donation box inside his restaurant and they raised more than $5,500. Then a local Toyota dealership cut Mitchell and his group a nice deal on a reliable car for Korva, leaving them with money left over. The good-doers purchased the car, a $500 gas card and a full year of insurance.
In a time when the news is full of divisive speech, mean spirits, and violence toward others in the name of what is good for the country, it is good to see “good” done according to the Psalms, not politics. We see this in Psalm 34, in our series Psalms in the Key of Life, “good” has everything to do with what you speak, how you serve and what you seek.
KEY VERSES: Psalm 34:12-14
12Who is the person who desires life and loves length of days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
A Good Day requires you to speak good. If you want the good old days of "good-doing", speak good.
Whoever of you loves life and desires, to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:12
Andy Mitchell did not speak evil of Justin Korva because of his color, his youth or his need. How do you use your speech? It’s free, but use it as if it’s invaluable. Before you speak about someone, ask yourself:
A Good Day requires you to serve good. If you want the good old days of "good-doing", you must serve good.
Turn from evil and do good… Psalm 34:13
Andy Mitchell did not turn to violence; he served Justin Korva by using social media to muster support to buy him a car. How do you use your privilege to solve a problem and meet a need. When you see a need or problem, ask yourself:
What can I do?
Who will get the credit?
A Good Day requires you to seek good. If you want the good old days of good-doing you must seek good.
seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14
Andy Mitchell did not just give a ride; he saw an opportunity to go the extra mile and use social media to muster support to buy him a car. He was proactive.
This kind of “good-doing” was seen in the recent the hurricanes Helene and Milton, but not without unsubstantiated rumors of bad behavior.
Are you a Psalm 34 “good-doer"? Do you see problems as opportunities for solutions or an opportunity to complain or divide? Do you seek these opportunities every day?
Application: From this lesson, I will…: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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