A Good Word -

Prevented by the Lord

by Mary E. Stephens
Feb. 28, 2008 [edited]

David wrote in, Psalm 21:1-3 The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

According to Samuel Johnson's dictionary, "prevent" means, "...To go before as a guide; to go before, making the way easy...To go before to be before...To anticipate...To preoccupy...to attempt first...To hinder; to obviate; to obstruct..."

The last meaning is almost the only meaning used now, and was even in Johnson's day. However, some of the earlier meanings are interesting in light of some of the verses in the King James Bible that use the word "prevent." (Try looking them up. There aren't many.)

In the verse above it seems like the meaning used is that of going before. The Lord went before David with blessings of goodness.

This gives us several comforting thoughts. First of all, the Lord is already in the future before us. He is already occupying the place where we will be. He is ahead of us in every way, therefore, He anticipates our needs. He is a guide and so, in His wisdom, He will lead us to and through the future. Psalms 23:3 …he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. We can also trust Him to obstruct anything that would not be for our good.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

"Prevent" is a good word for the child of God to be comforted and stablished in. God is going before us with blessings of goodness and surely it is a good blessing that the Lord prevents us in the complete meaning of this word!

background and graphics by Mary Stephens
vintage graphic: unknown source
original pine cones: olddesignshop.com