Read Psalm 12. 1Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 2Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4those 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.” 6The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. 8On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
Things haven’t changed much since David’s day have they? Just like him, we still live in a culture of flattering lips, double hearts, and boasting tongues. Smooth talkers abound. Empty promises are made by our leaders. Manipulation has replaced communication. Flattery is a way of life.
James 3:5. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
This is the first psalm in which David seems to have received a word from the Lord – “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.”
The words of the Lord are not like the words of man. They are purified seven times. They can be trusted completely. No double talk. No flattery. No lies. No empty promises.
Jesus said, “I will arise,” and he did.
Jesus said, “I will hold you forever,” and he does.
Jesus promised, “I will come again and receive you to myself,” and he will.
To live is Christ means trusting the pure words of Christ and rejecting the empty flattery of man. It means not allowing our hearts to be influenced by the lies, double-talk, and boasting of others, and rather, to trust the promises of Jesus as the safety for which we long.
Prayer. Jesus, help me to trust your words and make my words like yours – honest, wise, encouraging, and kind.
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To Live is Christ 