What do you use your words for?

 Psalm 12:1–8 (ESV): 

1  Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 

2  Everyone utters lies to his neighbour; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 

3  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 

4  those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us"

5  “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place 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, purified seven times. 

7  You, O Lord, will keep them; 

you will guard us from this generation forever. 

8  On every side the wicked prowl, 

as vileness is exalted among the children of man. 

What do you use your words for? 

Here the psalmist tells us, ‘everyone utters lies’, people have, ‘flattering lips’ and ‘a double heart’. Does this in any way describe you? No-one would like to categorise themselves like this, but if you are honest with yourself; do you lie, use flattery or say things you do not mean? Even if you think it is not important and maybe you only do these things in certain situations or with certain people this is still not what is considered, ‘godly’ or ‘faithful’ behaviour. 

Can you sense the author's frustration with people who behave in this way? David, who wrote this psalm, feels surrounded by people who do not display integrity in how they communicate, and he hates it. He states, ‘the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished’. When you are amongst people who lie, boast, flatter and say what they don't mean it is difficult to trust them. It is hard to make friends or get things done when those around you are not genuine. Hence David's frustration. Those who speak the truth and do not try to ingratiate themselves or elevate themselves through their communications are hard to find, but invaluable. You can trust people that are genuine, you can build with them as they will do what they say and say what they do, no more no less. Are you someone like that? and do you endeavour to invite people into your life who are like that? Or would you rather surround yourself with people who say whatever they think you want to hear rather than the truth? Sometimes the truth is hard to hear and so it is easier to have those that will just agree with you, but it won's ultimately do you any good and you could well end up feeling like David does and ask yourself "where have all the good people gone?"!

Do you appreciate and take guidance from people that you know are real, natural, honest and fair?Are you someone like that - speaking the truth without embellishment, flattery or hypocrisy? When you communicate with others do you realise that you demonstrate something of who you are and who God is to you? The Bible tells us the mouth is the overflow of the heart - so what do you display as you speak?

The Bible has lots of warnings and advice about how we communicate, in fact it is quite clear that there is an inherent problem with how we use speech. We are told that the tongue is easily used but difficult to tame. Therefore lies, flattery and contradictory words can spill out causing wickedness and harm. The Bible is full of instruction about how you and I speak, not just in this psalm. Do you take notice of it? 

The way you use words is important. Words have power. This is implied in verse 4 and the writer of Proverbs agrees, ‘The tongue has the power of life and death.’ (18:21). So what are you doing with the powerful instrument you have in your body? In Psalm 12 the words that are spoken are for selfish gain - lies, flattery and hypocrisy used to gain; influence, power, strength and opportunity. What are you using the power that you have within you to achieve? Are your words bringing life or death, and what do you want them to do? 

You have responsibility in what you say, and also the way in which you receive the words spoken to you. Times have not really changed since this psalm was written. People are still lying, unfaithful, hypocritical, boastful and flattering. There are some who are not - look out for them and get to know them. It is hard to know who to follow and who to trust. Yet there is One that you can always depend on, whose words, 'are pure words’. The words of God are the words you can always, absolutely, 100% trust. God will speak truth and life to you and over you - are you listening to Him? Do you allow God's words to influence your life and do you allow God to influence the way you speak? God knows words have power - He made the universe with them! Since creation God has given mankind some of His influence and power - what are you doing with it? 

God wants to help you to be a faithful steward, and this includes being godly and faithful in how you speak. Do you take notice of what God is trying to teach you? Are you aware of the power of your words? Your words can bring life and can destroy, they can build up and tear down - what are you using your words for?

Be careful what advice you heed.

 Psalm 11:1–7 (ESV):  

1 In the Lord I take refuge; 

how can you say to my soul, 

“Flee like a bird to your mountain, 

2  for behold, the wicked bend the bow; 

they have fitted their arrow to the string 

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 

3  if the foundations are destroyed, 

what can the righteous do?” 

4  The Lord is in his holy temple; 

the Lord’s throne is in heaven; 

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 

5  The Lord tests the righteous, 

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 

6  Let him rain coals on the wicked; 

fire and sulphur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 

7  For the Lord is righteous; 

he loves righteous deeds; 

the upright shall behold his face. 

Be careful what advice you heed.

Through this psalm David is assured that God is his protector and safety. Even when the world seems against him he still knows that God is his ‘refuge’. David is confident in the rest and support he can find in God no matter what else is going on, so in this time of persecution he trusts God for strength, hope, justice and protection. Even when trusted advisors and friends are trying to persuade him to run away, he remains firm that God is his safety, his refuge. These well meaning people are concerned for David’s life as there is a very real death threat over him. Their considered solution for the preservation of his life is that David should run and hide ‘like a bird’ to a far off, unreachable place. The people giving this counsel care about him and seek his survival and success, they don't want him to die they want him to live freely without worrying about persecution. So their best solution is for him to leave. David was tempted. He was in danger and it seemed impossible for him to survive so the advice of these trusted friends seemed good. Yet David asks himself, “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” If David’s foundation - what his life is built on - is ruined, what can come of it? If David sets the foundation of his decisions into the hands of man rather than the refuge of God, what will happen with the call on his life? What will come of God’s promises over him? If David allows popular opinion to sway his mind, what is his life built on? Does he want to build his life on the security of God, or the will of man? It is a real dilemma. 

It is a challenge we all face particularly in times of adversity. What advice do you heed? Who is leading you and your decisions? The wisest thing that others may see to do could be in contrast to what God is saying. Therefore be careful what advice you listen to. Well meaning, kind, generous people can get it wrong. We all can as we are not God. The advice of others may be well-thought and make sense yet it  may not be God-inspired. Therefore be careful what advice you are following and take time to consider as David did, what the foundation of your life is and what God wants you to do in your next dilemma.

It is true that in some circumstances David did run and hide, but in this situation he knew that although this may be the obvious solution to get away from trouble, this was not what God wanted. He knew, for this time that he had to stay in the refuge God had made for him which was where he was, not anywhere else. Otherwise he would be running FROM the safe place not to it! What could be more secure and stable than God's refuge? Even though it seemed to others the most perilous of options, God had said to remain and David did so. He heeded God even when it seemed ridiculous, terrifying and life altering. David obeyed God, not the advice of others. Do you? Are you mindful of what advice you are following?

In the midst of the trial, when you are suffering and afraid it is hard to keep going and it is difficult to remember the will of God and the promises of God over your life. Yet those things still remain - they are foundational for your life - and they are more true and everlasting than any issues that come your way. So when you encounter trials consider what or who you run to and what advice you are heeding. The word of God needs to become your foundation, then you will know where your refuge is and how to weather this storm. David knew this season for him was a test (v5).  A test of what he was believing and trusting in as the foundation of his life (v3). As a man called to be king, what was he secure in? Was he going to trust completely in God, or was he going to be more concerned about the preservation of his own life and the words of others? You too will go through times of testing and will need to decide what the foundation of your life is - is it the words of others or the Word of God that is your foundation? 

Be careful what advice you heed.

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

 Psalm 10:1–18:

1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

2  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; 

let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 

3  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, 

and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 

4  In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; 

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” 

5  His ways prosper at all times; 

your judgments are on high, out of his sight; 

as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 

6  He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; 

throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 

7  His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; 

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 

8  He sits in ambush in the villages; 

in hiding places he murders the innocent. 

His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 

9  he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; 

he lurks that he may seize the poor; 

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 

10  The helpless are crushed, sink down, 

and fall by his might. 

11  He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, 

he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” 

12  Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; 

forget not the afflicted. 

13  Why does the wicked renounce God 

and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 

14  But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, 

that you may take it into your hands; 

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

15  Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; 

call his wickedness to account till you find none. 

16  The Lord is king forever and ever; 

the nations perish from his land. 

17  O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; 

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 

18  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, 

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 

Have you ever felt that this is true, that when you most need Him, God is hiding? If so, you will probably relate to David's words in this psalm. He too wondered why God seems so far off when trouble comes. So he rants to God about it, getting his concerns and fears off his chest by telling God about the harm and distress he sees going. He lets God that he sees it is not fair that those unable to help themselves are persecuted. Yet the powerful. greedy people who have no regard for God are successful and the cause of  oppression. As you consider the world today - has much changed?

The reason for a lot of suffering and oppression is often because those who do not follow God are getting their own way (v3). They are interested in what they can get out of life at whatever cost and do not care that others may be negatively affected by their pursuits. The wicked boast of their; lifestyle, riches, power and desires unhindered and seemingly unopposed. They have a disregard for others and for the concept that there may even be a God - they are the master of their own worth and destiny (v11 &13). Yet what they desire never seems satisfied and so they go further from God and descend into greater chaos, ignorance and sin. Their wicked desires can never be fulfilled. There will never be enough; money, time, entertainment, knowledge or physical pleasure to fulfil their lives, but they seek more and more and end up drowning in despair, chaos and sin. Yet they know not what they are doing - they do not realise that this endless unsatisfying cycle can stop when they begin to know God. These people are seen as wicked and determined in their sinful ways, and so they can be, yet, is it not actually sad that these people are missing out on satisfaction, hope and fulfilment? They are growing in sin because they do not know God and so they do not really know themselves nor the way to contentment and they don't know it. This is why David invites God to, ‘Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none’. David requests that God break the strength of the wicked so that the suffering of others may stop but also so that they can be called to account. The best solution David sees is that these 'evildoers' realise their wrongs and receive the full forgiveness of God. That is David's plea for the corruption that he witnesses - is that yours? Often we pray for the demise and destruction of the wicked and their schemes, but do you pray for the salvation and restoration of their souls? David prayed for their transformation, that God would so change them that no wickedness could be found in them. Has not God done that for you? Transformed your life from one of wicked intent to a life seeking to honour and obey Him? So, should you not join David as he yearns for the breaking of the strength of the wicked and for their salvation? Even the person furthest away from God has a need for Him they just haven’t found it yet. God has not yet broken their arm and called them to account, but He will. 

when David sees situations that are unjust and unfair he goes to God about it. He rants and pours out his experience and what he witnesses, then he lets God knows what he thinks and seeks God for a radical solution, knowing that God is king of it all. Instead of asking for the wicked to be beaten and diminished, he asks for their salvation. Instead of praying that the oppressed and poor will be elevated, he asks that God will strengthen, help, hear and do justice for them. How do you pray for those far from God and for those whom are suffering? 

David has come to realise that even when God seems to be doing nothing, God is aware. He is not actually hiding or closing His eyes to what is happening. God has His plan we don't know what it is. So we have to wait and trust Him knowing that God is good and that He cares for HIs people. When you next encounter a situation where you wonder what God is doing try praying like David - let God know what you see, remember who God is and pray for radical solutions like salvation and strength for, 'The Lord is king forever and ever' He has a longer-term vision than we ever could have asHe has reigned and will reign forever so do not worry, God has it all in hand.

Have you learnt from past victories?

 Psalm 9 (ESV): 

A Psalm of David. 

1  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; 

I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 

2  I will be glad and exult in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 

3  When my enemies turn back, 

they stumble and perish before your presence. 

4  For you have maintained my just cause; 

you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. 

5  You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; 

you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 

6  The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; 

their cities you rooted out; 

the very memory of them has perished. 

7  But the Lord sits enthroned forever; 

he has established his throne for justice, 

8  and he judges the world with righteousness; 

he judges the peoples with uprightness. 

9  The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, 

a stronghold in times of trouble. 

10  And those who know your name put their trust in you, 

for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. 

11  Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! 

Tell among the peoples his deeds! 

12  For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; 

he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. 

13  Be gracious to me, O Lord! 

See my affliction from those who hate me, 

O you who lift me up from the gates of death, 

14  that I may recount all your praises, 

that in the gates of the daughter of Zion 

I may rejoice in your salvation. 

15  The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; 

in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. 

16  The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; 

the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah 

17  The wicked shall return to Sheol, 

all the nations that forget God. 

18  For the needy shall not always be forgotten, 

and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. 

19  Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; 

let the nations be judged before you! 

20  Put them in fear, O Lord! 

Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah 

Have you learnt from past victories?

At the start of this psalm we read an outpouring of thanksgiving to God for His past work (v1-12). David recalls how God is; just, wonderful, powerful, triumphant, eternal, king, orchestrator of the past and present, righteous, strong, protective, safe, and invested in those who follow Him. David remembers the truth of who God is, the miraculous ways He has worked, His character and His care for those that follow Him. All of this at a time when David is imploring God to, 'lift me up from the gates of death'! Before David asks God to intervene and help him, he ensures that he reminds himself who God really is and what He has already done. Do you do the same? Before you pour out the pain you feel and complain to God, do you take time to remember who God is and what He has already done for you? Past victories that you have seen, heard of or experienced should impact your faith and your life. Your witnessing of the past; triumphs, protection, breakthroughs, power and might of God should influence the way you pray. 

David prays from this acknowledgement of whom God has proved himself to be - he remembers with gratitude, warmth and growing strength that God is a winner and that God has prevailed many times before. David praises God for what He has done already, and reminds himself that this same God is with him right now in this 'affliction'. Is this how you pray into difficult circumstances? What have you learnt about the character of God from past victories that can equip and empower you as you pray now? Your previous experiences should inform your prayers of the present. God is the same now as He was then, and you can learn and grow in strength and faith by changing your mindset from one of despair and angst to one of hope and security. You do this by doing as David did - remembering the victories already won by God, and then recounting what is happening in life right now. How often do you pray the other way round - problems first, praise later (if at all)?

More often than not the current crisis swamps anything else. That is why it is important to remind yourself that there have been troubled times previously that you have survived. That you have come through because of God's; protection, strength, and righteousness. It is important to remember. It builds your faith and hope. As you read this psalm, you can hear David's hope, joy and faith building before he lets God know he is suffering. Do you want to know hope, joy and faith in the midst of turmoil? Then recall the past victories and thank God for what He has done in your life and in the lives of others. Do not let your state of mind be dictated to by your current circumstances, instead let your understanding of God dictate your state of mind and your circumstances by doing something different - praising and glorifying God in the midst of hardship. 

David does. He remembers, he thanks and praises and it helps him put his current situation into context. He knows that this current, 'affliction' will pass with God's help, but it is only a short space of time when considering his whole life. The same is true for whatever you are facing. Considering your whole life, this time of affliction will one day cease, but you need help getting through it. It is but a short time considering the expanse of life and eternity, so who better to assist you than the all-powerful and all-loving, eternal creator of life? Invite Him into your situation, remembering how God has shown his love power, grace and sufficiency for you before. He has not changed, you may have, but He has not and He loves, cares for and desires to protect and strengthen you in this current season. Are you depending on Him as you have before? 

Have you learnt from past victories?