Daily Bread
It looks bad
Updated February 03, 2009 12:00 AM
I will set him in the safety for which he yearns. — Psalm 12:5
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.
It looks bad
Updated February 03, 2009 12:00 AM
I will set him in the safety for which he yearns. — Psalm 12:5
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" (Ps. 12:1-2).
This description may sound like the theme of a TV show, but it was life circa 1,000 BC. While we may view society’s evils as much worse than anything before, David reminds us that evil is not a 21st century innovation.
But David’s words also give us hope. Notice his reaction to the bad news he bore. In verse 1, he turned to God and cried, "Help!" Then he implored God with specific needs. The response he got was positive. God promised that because He rules righteously, He would provide protection and safety (vv. 5-7).
When you are discouraged by all the bad news, cry out for God’s help. Then bask in the confidence of His assurance. Three thousand years after David, God is still, and always will be, in control. — Dave Branon
When through life’s darkened maze I go
And troubles overwhelm my soul,
Oh, grant me, Lord, the faith to know
That You are always in control. — D. De Haan
Psalm 12-14 (New International Version)
Psalm 12
For the director of music. According to sheminith . A psalm of David.
Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips—who is our master?"
"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.
Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips—who is our master?"
"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 14
For the director of music. Of David.
For the director of music. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Will evildoers never learn— those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD ?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Will evildoers never learn— those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD ?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
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