(Psalm 12:1-8) Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end,
For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind.2 They speak lies to one another;
They speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
4 Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5 “Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will put him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the Lord are pure words;
Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.
7 You, Lord, will keep them;
You will protect him from this generation forever.
8 The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of mankind.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
We can definitely relate to David's observations of the society that surrounded him! And as his son, Solomon, pointed out: there is nothing new under the sun, and all things of this earth is vanity! Even when the world is striving for peace and unity in their own way, we can see the evidence of garish pomposity by watching something like this year's Olympic opening ceremonies.
No matter what evil exists, seductive or physically dangerous, the Lord will help us, the believer. It is difficult for people to be faithful, but God is faithful. The Lord will keep and protect us. And our salvation is forever. Nothing can change that. God promises us in His word, and His words are pure, holy and true! Therefore, we can fully trust and depend on Him with great confidence.
To pray more effectively, it helps us to know what God wants us to do when we are faced with things that are shocking or offensive. As believers, we do need to be careful how we react, otherwise we will come across as either fearful or prideful and judgmental towards the world. So how should we react, and what should we do?
(1 Peter 4:12-19) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
(1 Peter 3:8-9) To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.
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