Read
(A psalm by David for the music leader.)
A Prayer for Help
1Please help me, Lord!
All who were faithful
and all who were loyal
have disappeared.
2Everyone tells lies,
and no one is sincere.
3Won't you chop off
all flattering tongues
that brag so loudly?
4They say to themselves,
“We are great speakers.
No one else has a chance.”
5But you, Lord, tell them,
“I will do something!
The poor are mistreated
and helpless people moan.
I'll rescue all who suffer.”
6Our Lord, you are true
to your promises,
and your word is like silver
heated seven times
in a fiery furnace.
7You will protect us
and always keep us safe
from those people.
8But all who are wicked
will keep on strutting,
while everyone praises
their shameless deeds.
Reflect
Ever feel out of step with the world? You should. We are counter-cultural people. Our citizenship is in heaven. As such it can feel like we are swimming against the current. David laments this fact when he cries out to the Lord in Psalm 12:1, “Please help me, Lord! All who were faithful and all who were loyal have disappeared.”
In our culture talk is cheap. Flattery and deceptive, manipulative words abound. The wicked strut about. What is vile is honoured as good. Is it any wonder at school or in the workplace we question, “Am I the only one who follows you, Jesus? Am I the only one who tells the truth, and doesn’t cheat?”
Our challenge as Christ followers is to hold fast to our convictions when we feel like we are alone in a crooked world. We are not alone. The Lord is true to his promises. His truth will prevail. He will deal with hypocrites and silence the lying lips.
As for us, we are to hold fast to the Word of God. By his grace and with his help, live and speak truthfully. Philippians 2:15,16 encourages us, “You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life.”
Respond
Lord Jesus, Living Word of God, yours is the way of life. In your light we see light. By your Word we know truth. Enable us to love your Word and live by it. In this crooked and evil world, keep us close to you and help us to boldly speak your Word of salvation. In your glorious name we pray, Amen.
Jody Cross
Dr. Jody Cross is a worship pastor, recording artist, author and worship ministry consultant. His passion is to glorify God by developing leaders, equip worship teams and lead God’s people in worship. Jody has released a book on worship and justice, This Is Our Love and has produced two award winning worship albums. Jody serves as Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church in Orillia, Ontario. Jody is married to Alexandra. They have four teenage children. Publications: This Is Our Love: Engaging a Broken World Through Worship CD’s: Forward To Forever Rekindle Rejoice: Christmas Worship