Read Psalm 12. (When I read it, it reminded me of the state of affairs in our country as we speak. Especially in view of what is happening in politics!)
King David looked out at the world and was troubled. He didn't need the internet to paint a bleak picture of society or the New York Times to remind him of crime and suffering. Even without a cable news show to give him all the bad news, he saw the evil.
He looked around and saw that "the godly man ceases." He noticed that "the faithful disappear." In his world, everyone spoke "idly" to his neighbor "with flattering lips and a double heart" (psalm 12:1-2).
This description may sound like the theme of a TV show, but it was life, in 1,000 BC. While we think that all this evil is much worse than anything that came before, David reminds us that all of the ills of the world are not just happening in the 21st century.
But David's words also give us hope. Notice his reaction to the bad news he bore. First, he turned to God and cried, "Help!" (v. 1) Then he implored God for specific needs. The response he got was positive. God promised that He would provide protection and safety for his people (vv 5-7)
When you are discouraged, cry out for God's help. Then just sit back, knowing that God has promised His protection and safety! Three thousand years AFTER David, God is still, and always will be, in control!
We have nothing to fear, because God is in control.
6 comments:
Dr. Charles Stanley is doing a series called "In the School of Faith". He is in part 5 now, called "Faith Failure". During that lecture he made this interesting statement, "If you sit and watch t.v., it is about enough to give you a nervous breakdown." Isn't that the truth! It goes along with what you are teaching me in this blog post. I am comforted by the fact that God never breaks His promises and in this Psalm He makes a very powerful promise to the people who serve Him. I am in a "faith failure" period of time right now. I am most amazed how much of what you, Aunt Lonnie, have been teaching me is really helping me to see my situation for what it is. Your posts lead me to read the Bible and meditate on the Word. I am eternally grateful that you are doing this. I yearn for the peace and safety I once claimed as my gift from God. I have become too focused on the world and the ongoings in it. I know God is in control, but I forget it frequently these days. Too often I get fixated on the wrong things. I appreciate your words and the direction in which they lead me. God Bless YOU, Aunt Lonnie.
Thank you, Mickey. I am in the same boat as you - I forget to keep my eyes on Jesus and all He is to me, to us. I love what you write here. I wonder if you could share some of what you discover in your meditations on the word. I'm sure it would be very helpful to all of us.
(Haha, Mickey! I just wrote to you on Facebook about the faith series with Stanley. You are already quite familiar with it I can see. He is a wonderful preacher! I learn something new from him every week.)
Talk about being ambassadors for Chirst! I read Psalm 12 in the Message Bible. A lot in there about lies. I think one of the most powerful ways we witness is by talking the talk. If we tell the truth always, even when a little white lie wouldn't hurt, we show the world Jesus. "Jesus with skin on" that's us. Integrity is a huge witness!
Praise and be Raised
Complain and Remain
Joyce Meyer....
Good posts, Mom and Michelle...
I am learning so much here. Thank you
Thanks everyone for your sharings here. I watch Charles Stanley, too. He's a great teacher!
And the Joyce Meyer quote is good! I also watch her a lot. Another one I have started watching for about a year now is Jack Graham. He comes on Sunday mornings on TBN. He's doing such a good series right now that I had to order the CD's. I might put some of that teaching on here after I listen to them (or as I listen). Good stuff.
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