Many people associate "the good life" with success, fame, and money. Yet a dying man who had it all told me that his life hadn't been worth the effort to attain his success.

How different was my uncle Herb's attitude when he was dying! He was thankful and spoke of his many blessings. In his rich Dutch brogue, he quoted Psalm 34:11-14 as God's prescription for a good life. Most of his life he had worked at a low-paying job, and he owned only a car and a small house. He had remained single until he was 47 so he could care for his parents. When he did marry, he had no children, but he was greatly loved by his wife and the wider family circle. He was a favorite uncle to his nephews and nieces, and was so well-liked by the children in his neighborhood that after he died many came to the funeral home and cried by his casket.

The good life is a gift from God to those who trust Him, and who make obeying Him their primary aim. God watches over them and hears their prayers (v.15). They may know heartbreak and affliction, but God guards and keeps them through it all (vv.18-20). Best of all, however, is that He gives them His grace and redeems their soul through faith in Christ (v.22). That is truly the good life!  —HVL  — Herbert Vander Lugt