Psalm 12

May 12, 2012

David continues with his lament over the moral decay in his society. David was not referring to peoples outside of the covenant relationship with God, but to the people of Israel. David’s concern for those that were set apart as the people of God is valid for the Christian church today. More and more churches are adopting the marketing style of the world’s culture to promote their church. More and more churches are using the management and transformational programs of the Harvard Business School to try and revitalize congregations. Last week the General Conference of our church adjourned after spending two weeks in session at a cost of more than twelve million dollars. Nothing of substance was accomplished. Instead of the worldwide body of believer’s getting on their face before God to seek his will for the church, the session was an exercise in parliamentary gamesmanship. Many people had a passion for things to be done their way, or no way. Sadly, few people evidenced a passion for Christ. I despair over the good that could have been accomplished, but was not.

In Psalm 11 David wrote, “The virtuous will see his face.” He renews that affirmation here. David models for us the life of a follower of God who hungers and thirsts for God’s holiness. David’s heart was breaking over the sinfulness and rebellion against God that was so prevalent in Jerusalem.

David also noted in Psalm 11 that “the righteous LORD loves justice” which means God hears the cry of those who long for God’s justice: “The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

David called Israel, and us, to live with an abiding trust in God’s faithfulness, or as he put it in Psalm 131: 

“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—now and always.”

What word or phrase in these verses

Attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for May 13, 2012            Psalm 13