PSALM 12:5 – “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.”

THEME OF THE DAY. OUR LONGING FULFILLED. Here is a piece of good advice. It isn’t good because I am writing it nor original with me. God’s people throughout time have given and heeded it. When we go through dark valleys of suffering, and we will; when we endure lonely nights of feeling abandoned, even by God; and we will; when we encounter overwhelming trials draining the very energy of life – emotionally, spiritually, and physically; and we will . . . run, run fast, and “pitch the tent of your heart” in the Psalms. When our hearts are so heavy, feeling like we just cannot fight another day with praying and reading difficult, go to the Psalms. They are food for the hungry soul. They are the soothing balm to heal the hurting heart. They are the place to find rest for a tired mind. And today’s Psalm is one of those choice “camping sites” to plant the “stakes of your heart’s tent” down and deep.

The whole Psalm is one describing the pain God’s children must go through in a suffering world. We read of the Psalmist lamenting the lack of faithfulness among God’s people. Move that into our current 21st church setting. Do we not see a growing apathy among God’s people with the compromise of His truth and faithfulness to His church commonplace? Just think about the lack of prayerfulness in the company of God’s people. The Psalmist’s sadness in his time should be our sadness in our times. The Psalmist is also crying out for the harsh and ungodly speech permeating the land – Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” (Psalm 12:3-4). Again, let’s bring this in to today. Our culture is filled, actually overflowing, with ungodly speech, unbridled ungodly speech, and it permeates all levels of society – homes, workplaces, and politics. And not just ungodly speech. David is upset over the pride of the people which is a direct attack on the sovereignty and authority of God. Well, just look around 21st century America and pride is not only prominent and controlling, but applauded and encouraged. Like David, we should have broken hearts over this most extreme of indications of ungodliness – embraced sinful pride. But as “gloom and doom” as this Psalm appears, it is not without a ray of hope; solid hope from the Lord. And that is what makes this Psalm help for the hurting and soothing salve for the suffering.

Nestled into today’s scripture is the sure promise of God’s interventions in the lives of His people – “I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” It seems a pattern throughout church history when times for God’s people seem the darkest, He comes with the light of His Presence and power to restore and revive them. And we should expect the same from Him in our day. Why? God promises. He has stated that He will give us what we long for – safety in Him – but it must be the right longing for the right reason.

When it comes to our crying out to the Lord for the “safety” of revival and His Presence, it must be motivated, not for our comfort, but for the recovery of His supremacy and adoration across the land. We are to pray for revival for the ungodly to turn to the Lord; for the godly to forsake the world, and for the “safety of the Lord’s Presence and power” to be experienced among His people for the furtherance of His fame and glory.

Yes, we will be hurting people on the way to a place of no more hurt, but until that day, let’s find the comfort in God’s Word that promises, though we must endure for a season, He will come in that season with the blessedness of His Presence – the place of safety for all who flee to its refuge.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for being my all-sufficient God knowing and giving what I need and when I need it.”

QUOTE: “God’s people are to be a longing people, not for the pleasures of this world but for Him and His Word.”