I first read 1 Corinthians 16. These verses stood out:
. 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Then I read Psalm 12. The study note writers in my study Bible wrote this at the top of the Psalm:
Theme: The proud and lying words of people versus the true and pure words of God. A call for protection against those who try to manipulate us. Author: David
https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/12.html
1 (To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.) Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Here's what the study note writers wrote for this Psalm:
12:1. Living for God in a deceitful world can be a difficult and lonely battle. At one time the great prophet Elijah felt so lonely he wanted to die. But God told him there were 7,000 other faithful servants (1 Kings 19:4, 14, 18). We are never alone in our battle against evil. When you feel alone, seek out other believers for strength and support. [My comments are in brackets. I gotta say, I seek and find them here on GAW.]
12:2-4. We may be tempted to believe that lies are relatively harmless, even useful at times. But God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception or boasting. Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage (James 3:5). Be careful how you use yours. [This rebuke of sorts hit home with me.]
12:5. God cares for the weak and the nneedy. Here He promises to protect the downtrodden and confront their oppressors. We should identify with God's attitude. His work is not done until we care for the needs of the poor.
"The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage (James 3:5). Be careful how you use yours."
How interesting. Wife and I these days, noticed that we are much more careful with how we speak, not allowing ourselves to rant like we did in the past. I don't know if this resonates with you, my friend, but we noticed over time, that words of anger, if we do allow them, they at first might seem like just letting some steam off, but they tend to quickly develop a mind and character of their own... And before you know, you find yourself being guided by them, almost like stopping for a moment, only to see a path of "destruction" behind you, and you do not even know how or why, but you definitely have scars to show for it...
So we, over time, started avoiding, and not letting those manifest. I think 10 times for what I want to say.... I don't know if this is what that part was about, I'm still quite new to the rising feeling of faith, and am not sure I can yet word it correctly...
Thank you 🙏
I like your words. This study note really hit home with me and emphasized how much I needed to repent from these. I tried to think of the last time I did it, and it was far too recent. And, it was even documented in some posts that I wrote yesterday. I will review, confess, ask forgiveness and repent (or do my best to).
It is a great comfort to know that GOD is outside of time and space, Allknowing, merciful and He loves US infinitely. He already knows all sin I ever committed and will commit. He is ready and waiting for me to recognize His help and choose to accept it. He does this for His glory, which is appropriate, but I benefit too.
I prolly have written too much here. Anyway, I like your comment.
One more study note:
12:6. Sincerity and TRUTH are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope --the Word of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when He speaks.
I love the way GOD works through people and circumstances!
I love the way GOD works.
Thank you for this post!!
God bless you! Feeding us our daily breb. WWG1WGA! (hopefully all to Jesus side in perfect bodily resurrection)
God is in control - this post kind of blew me away. As it happens last night I read that exact psalm and am reading in 1 Cor this morning. Big things coming!
I love the way GOD works!!!!!