A couple of centuries ago, deism was a popular philosophy. It taught that God created the universe, set the laws of nature in motion, and then settled back on His throne in heaven and let “nature take its course”. He remained sovereign over our world but aloof from human affairs. Deism is false.
In the concluding portion of Psalm 34, David describes the interest and activity of Jehovah in the lives of the righteous. Clearly, He is not the apathetic and pathetic Sovereign espoused by deism. While the false gods have eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:15-18).
In clear contradiction to the false tenets of deism, Jehovah is not ambivalent toward good or evil. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned” (Psalm 34:19-22).
God is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
