11. Thirty Psalms xii. Psalm 11 1.. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains; 2.. for look the wicked bend their bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 3.. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" 4.. The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind. 5.. The LORD tests the righteousness and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence. 6.. On the wicked, he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a scorching wind will be the portion of their cup. 7.. For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. Thinking David seems to have a persistent problem of being surrounded by wicked men intent on his life (Vv.2,3.). I think we have to accept that this was genuine, and not a personality defect. Even today across the world, we see this phenomenon amongst leaders of nations. I am not aware that this is my problem. It would be easy to say that this is not for me and turn on to the next Psalm. Rather, his example is the persistent turning towards the Lord, with the reiteration that God protects (V.1.), and watches all men from his holy place (V.4.). How this must grieve God! (V.5.). Then follows the confidence that one day our God will step in to take action. Suddenly and permanently for the wicked (V.6.), but upright men will see his face. Jacob saw the face of God and yet he was spared (Genesis 32: 30.). Moses was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3: 6.). He later learned how talk with God as it were face to face (Exodus 33: 11.), but was told by God that no person could see his face and live (Exodus 33: 19-23.). Praying But now, precious Lord, you offer to all of us, even to me, the joy of seeing your face. Listening You will have a foretaste of eternity - with me. This is part of the meaning of the Yes, my son, and it will be my joy too to share that with you. But just now you need to know my presence. Do you notice that when you are close to me, everything else becomes unimportant and even forgotten? Today let your awareness and understanding of my presence pervade your soul. Thinking Then words of David; "In the LORD I take refuge" (V.1.). Praying My response is more intimate than words, Lord. Accept my love and worship as I bow before you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms xiii. Psalm 12 1.. Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind. 2.. They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3.. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4.. those who say, "With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own - who is our master?" 5.. "Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up," says the LORD; "I will place them in the safety for which they long." 6.. The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 7.. You, O LORD, will protect us: you will guard us from this generation forever. 8.. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among mankind. Thinking In this Psalm, David is expressing a spiritual loneliness. "Help, LORD, for the godly are no more!" (V.1.). We've all been there, and this must be a regular challenge to our missionary friends. One senses this sometimes in the city, when all around is the hustle and bustle of people making money, finalising deals to ensure their personal advantage, and filling their homes with capitalist merchandise. Most of us have been part of this, yet our God calls us back to himself, and requires us to ensure that these activities impact positively on his kingdom. But we are in a different position to David, because our Lord has given us a precious family of brothers and sisters. Together we own him as Lord. Each of us knows some by name, but one day we'll know them all. That's awesome! Praying Lord, I thank you now for that special group of people in our own local church, where we worship, pray, and work together for your kingdom. These are not "vanished from among men" (V.1.), but set apart by and for you. I think that David would have written / sung this Psalm differently if he knew the fellowship I know. Listening Yes, my son, but the same words come to you and your friends today. "I will protect them" (V.5.), and "you will keep us "safe" (V.7.). Praying Lord your words are flawless (V.6.) and incredibly encouraging. Help me to share this with my friends. I think the key word is "keep us safe" (V.7.). Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms xiv. Psalm 13 1.. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2.. How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3.. Consider and answer me, O LORD my God! Give light to my eyes or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4.. And my enemy will say, "I have prevailed"; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. 5.. But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6.. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Thinking This is an interesting Psalm. At first sight it seems like the last group of three, but there is something new. It appears to be very egocentric. V.1. me, my. V.2. I, my, my. V.3. me, my, my, I. V.4. my, I, my, I. It's only in verse 5 that he starts to get it right - your love, your salvation. Praying Is this the lesson you are trying to teach me? A focus away from myself and towards you? Listening You've got it, my son, and you're learning how to respond to the prompting of my Spirit. You need to see things from my perspective so that you can appreciate the big picture better. But don't underestimate how I am concerned about every little detail. This is part of the expression of my love. You just concentrate on me, and let me concentrate on you. Praying Wow! You are an awesome God. Accept my worship this morning as I respond to these thoughts - your words. When I do stop and ponder - and I need to do that more frequently - it is the detail of your care that is incredible - even down to the timing of these thoughts today. May I treasure this insight, take it with me today and on forever. I sense that this is another step forward in my awareness of you - and that too is part of your love and grace. I just need to contemplate these things. Help me to "trust in your unfailing love" and to "rejoice in your salvation" (V.5.). You have been very good to me (V.6.). Accept my love and worship this morning, and today, as I go about your business. May it be your business. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms xv. Psalm 14 1.. Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. 2.. The LORD looks down from heaven on mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. 3.. They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4.. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the LORD? 5.. There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6.. You would confound the plans of the poor, but he LORD is their refuge. 7.. O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. Thinking "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (V.1.). Praying I seem to be surrounded by fools, Lord. It's almost fashionable today to claim that there is no God. But I know better, because you speak to me. You surround me with your presence, and you have reached out to touch me. How can I share this knowledge, or rather, this experience of you, with my friends? Your word goes on to summarise so many people. "They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good." Listening My son, it is not quite as bad as that today in your time. Look around you at your brothers and sisters in my family. Don't you see how we are winning? As I look down on the sons of men, I see men and women who are sincerely seeking me, as you are. These are the ones who understand, and who are growing in awareness of me (V.2.). As together you resist turning aside, together we will overturn corruption, and do good (V.3.). Praying Thank you Lord for this encouragement. May I be an example, and be your servant. Show me how to teach people how to call on your name (V.4.). Listening Just do it, my son. Let people see that I am with you, that I am present in the company of the righteous, with you and your brothers and sisters (V.5.). Then men will see that this is the reason for your life style, your actions, and your purpose. Praying Lord, you are my refuge (V.6.) and my purpose. Oh that men will come to know the salvation that comes from you (V.7.). Then you will restore the fortunes of the people (V.7.), not money, but the immense riches of together knowing you as Lord. As I ponder these thoughts and dream with David, I look to the day when we shall surely rejoice and be glad (V.8.). But today, I am beginning, and again, I praise your name and lift my worship to you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD 11. Thirty Psalms xvi. Psalm 15 1.. O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2.. Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; 3.. who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 4.. in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; 5.. who do not lend money at interest; and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved. Praying This is a well-known Psalm, Lord. I need to be careful not to gloss over the familiar words or miss the truths you want to show me this morning. I sense the need to begin with living in your sanctuary (V.1.). To David that would have meant the Temple, the place where you live. Only priests who had completed the rites of sacrifice and cleanliness could go into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a once-a-year trip for the Chief Priest only. Even to live on your holy hill was for priests only. I bless you Lord, that today you have called us all to be priests, and to live in your presence (Revelation. 1: 6.). The sacrifice has been made, once and for all, by you, but I still need to come to you daily for cleansing. The prerequisites for closeness to you are the same - blameless walk, doing what is righteous (V.2.), no slander, no wrong (V.3.), despise the vile, honour those who fear God, keep your oath (V.5.), no usury, no bribes (V.6.). It's formidable, Lord. Listening Yes my son, but remember that I have summarised it for you - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,..You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22: 37, 39.). Praying Lord, I thank you for this reminder this morning. You know how I need to work at it. So I come to you for cleansing, I come in confession, and I come in humility to your absolute purity. Lord, this is a holy moment. Help me to know how precious this daily contact with you is. May it not become habit. Let it be the quiet secret to life it self - the drink, the touch, the wash - of living water. Lord, I love you. Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved. For comments or responses, please contact
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