Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Foundations: Psalms - Day 6

READ: Psalms 12-14

Psalm 12 speaks about the power of words. More specifically, those words used for deceiving, flattering and boasting. Verse one of this chapter is interesting as it states that there are no more godly people left! We know this is does not actually mean there was not a single godly person left on the earth. What this indicates is that the culture of the godly has become infected with sin - the sin of the mouth and tongue – so much that it seems like there are no godly left.

It speaks about lying, flattering, deceiving, boasting and maligning others. It’s sometimes easy to think about these sins as ‘no big deal’ if we do them. They bother us and make us angry if those words are against us. Yet in comparison to the words of the Lord (verse 6) we can see how absolutely vile they really are.

Verse 3 & 4 talks specifically about those who believe they can say what they want. They believe they are masters of their own words. Verse 7 mentions ‘those people’. ‘Those people’ are the ones whose words and lips are not pure and holy. This begs the question of us, “Is Jesus the functional Lord of our words or are we one of ‘those people’?”

Psalm 13 is a prayer many of us have prayed. We beg God to answer us, how long? We struggle though trauma, death of a loved one, depression, illness, any kind of difficult long-term situation, and we get to the same place as this Psalmist: O God, how long until I hear your voice again? How long until this pain ends? The Psalmist reminds God that if this goes too long the enemy just might win. He begs God for hope to go on. He doesn’t want to give up, but he’s afraid he won’t be able to hang on.

Somewhere between verse 4 and 5 the Lord must have given this writer a rhema (a word specifically for him at that time and place) because his hope is renewed. His trust is rebuilt. He knows God’s love toward Him is unfailing and his heart is rejoicing so fully that he can sing. This is the path of prayer for us. That we might be honest with the Lord how we feel and struggle so that He might speak to us and renew our faith and our hope.

Psalm 14:5 is a key verse. We may think we are weak because of any number of reasons. We may think we are ill-equipped to fight against those who are stronger than we are. Yet, no matter what we are up against, the Lord who is among us is stronger still. Not only is the Lord our safety and refuge, but He is also our strength. His presence with those who obey Him is a strong and mighty power. God’s presence alone is such a powerful force it changes things. His presence with us becomes our refuge.

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1.   Ask the Lord to speak to you about your speech. Are your words in line with His character? Is He the Lord of your words? Confess if necessary and submit your words to His Lordship.
2.   Reflect on a struggle you are currently having. Ask the Lord for a rhema (a word, thought or picture) that will renew your trust in Him and His unfailing love and give you hope for the future again. Write a prayer of thanks for what He showed you.
3.   Think about a difficult situation you are facing right now. Ask the Lord to reveal your inner thoughts on this. Do you feel like you fighting this alone or do you sense the presence of God with you and know Him as your refuge? Confess if necessary and invite God into the battle and ask Him to be your refuge and leader.