Friday, January 8, 2010

Digging Deeper

I have to admit, I had not read this following scripture for awhile. I have it marked in the margin of my Bible as 2-1-04. This was when I was going through a particularly difficult time. I like to date a scripture when the Holy Spirit makes a point of showing it to me. Let's read this and then look to see what we can "mine" from it.

NAS
Psalm 12:1-8

1. Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2. They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
3. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things;
4. Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5. "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
6. The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7. Thou, O LORD, wilt keep them; Thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever
8. The wicked strut about on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
 
 

   
Yesterday's post about our tongues is just scratching the surface for our knowledge and responsibility for the things that we "say". Leave it to God to not let me off the hook, but He causes me to "dig" deeper; to get down to the nitty gritty of things. I'm going to take this verse by verse, because I know there's something important here for all of us.
 
NIV
1."the godly are no more and the faithful have vanished."  Seems like a description of the nightly news, when all we hear about are the "...bad and the ugly". Where are the godly men and women, doing things for the Lord? They are passed over and sometimes beaten down by those whose mouths seem to be loudest. Television and radio are prime examples of this. Ungodly men and women spouting off about their latest immoral adventure or idea. Yuk.
 
2."Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception." OK, this one is getting serious: 

"Oh, you look fabulous today! Love that new outfit!
Hi, how are you? Oh fine, just fine.
We're doing great!
New car, new furniture!
Hey, yeah, the kids are good, everything's great!
Kids got straight A's and...yeah, we're great!
Got a promotion at work!
Yeah, Big, big salary now!
New Boat in the spring!
How about you? Same with you?
Great! See ya!"

Superficial communication. Now I know we don't have to "bare our souls" to the next door neighbors, but I sure wish there was more genuine interest in each other, and how they are doing.
And Flattery... I have been reminded of this lately. Not to play favorites and try to "ingratiate myself" with those who are made "more worthy" in the world's eyes. Say what is truth, and if someone is not interested in me, then don't worry. Leave it, move on. Don't waste my time with bowing and scraping.
 
3. "May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue." Flattery and boasting. Here's another big one. Gee, I really don't want to be there...ever. But I do have to admit, that after Christmas with "showing this and that of my house and decor" I got a little tired of myself. Know what I mean? Do you ever get tired of "yourself"? Boy, I do. Sometimes I'm just needing to "give it a rest". I think I've been there since Christmas.
 
4."We triumph with our tongues, we own our lips! Who is our master?" This speaks to me about saying exactly whatever I want to say. The attitude that, "Hey, I'll do and say whatever I darn well please, because I've earned that right! No one better tell me how to act or speak! Watch out! I'm on a rampage here!" (oh I'm really cringing, now) How many times have I been guilty of that one? As our younger daughter used to love to say, especially to her older sister "You're not the boss of me!"
 
5."Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the Lord. I will protect them from those that malign them. Thank you, God, that you hear and see, and come to our defense! We need to remember this. That when we are beaten down and feeling oppressed, God sees and knows and hears our cries. He will move on our behalf if we ask, and then put it in His capable hands.
 
6. And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay purified seven times. We all hear from the Lord, He speaks to us all. How many times have I heard the Lord speak to my heart a promise or a "word", and then as time goes by and it hasn't "manifested" yet, do I begin to doubt and lose hope? It's so easy, and especially when everyone else is saying something different. When everything and everyone contradicts what the Lord is saying, it's really easy, to set that "word" aside and question it, or even forget it. But He is faithful to His Word. He is flawless. His words are pure, unlike man.
 
7.O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. Trust Him and believe this. People can say malicious things about us, but God truly will protect us from them.
 
8. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. So then, there we have it. It's up to us to not praise and deify those ungodly people out there. When we see someone who is blatantly of the world and holding no godly attributes, do we give them a standing ovation for their words and actions? This goes back to the post I did on who we admire and do we want to be like Jesus. I guess after knowing God and hearing Him first hand from His Voice to His Word, I'm not easily "impressed" with mortal man.

There is alot to consider when we think about our words. If you didn't read the comments from yesterday, go back and read what "they call me Deb" had to say, you will be blessed as she adds more to the concept of our "tongues, mouth, and words".

Hope you're finding this
as beneficial as I am!

love,
Debra

17 comments:

  1. Debra, this is so good. You did such a good job of taking each verse apart and pointing out the key parts of it and showing it in today's world.
    OUCH, I was in so much of it that it is a shame to even admit it. But thanks for the reminder that it's not about me...it's all about HIM!

    Good one! Have a blessed day.
    Rose

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  2. Debra, I do the same thing about dating my scripture. I love reading the word through your eyes which is a new prospective and you help me see scripture in a way I may not have seen it. Happy Friday to you, T

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  3. This is so good, Deb. The Lord admonished me the other day in the midst of my complaining (you don't do that, do you?). He took me to Romans-Calling those things that be not as though they were. Just as our mouths work in the negative, they are awfully powerful in the positive. When we speak His words, it sets aflame the things that need to change. That is good news to me. I have the power to affect change in my sphere of circumstance with the words of my mouth. And you do too. That is so thrilling to me.

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  4. You know ...I was a t a funeral yesterday for a man that I do not think he lloved the Lord & I was so annoyed at the pastor because he kept saying things like, "He rejected the church...but he did not reject God" (which I am struggkling with because it kinda did seem like he did reject Christ God also-Thankfully that is not my department to judge-but I have to admit it does worry me!) & the pastor said lots of unflattering things about this man & I thought---why don't they just say the good things! His poor wife! But actually she did not seem affected by the pastors words & even seemed to think he did a good job portraying her husband- I wanted it sugar coated & maybe even lied about when I think about it now-but how right this truth is....thank you for digging it up & sharing it. It met me where I was at today & yes...God spoke to me through it :) I heard him!

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  5. OK Debra.
    I think it is time to really grow up. After all, I am 50 million years old.

    I do not need to say everything to my husband that I am thinking, right?

    I think I need to go to time out in my garden shed...

    Your friend,
    Laura

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  6. Uh - Oh. I haven't read this yet butt from the looks of a few words that just jumped out at me, I have a feeling that I'm going to get a deep needed message. I'm printing this now and will be back. Gosh I know I say nice things to people, flattering things I hope or did hope, I've got to read this. But I sincerely mean these things and I so much want the people who share there wonderful talents, whether it be writing, artistic creativity, decorating(artistic again) or just their joyful, loving hearts with me to know how much I think of it and them. Hope that's not a bad thing. I really do have a tender heart for others.

    Love, Tracy.....I'd better get busy reading this and spending some time in prayer.

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  7. Hi Debra
    I understand what you are saying here about the many aspects of what we say and do. So as not to get under condemnation -
    I think there is a fine line between boasting and sharing ones interests but if one is getting puffed up and thinking that, that determines who they are then one might want to have a sit down with Jesus. I just want to say that seeing your home at Christmas was a blessing to me.
    On the other hand what I confess with my mouth is always a struggle with me. Ususlly the scenerio is catch up time with a friend (like today) and updating them on what's happening. Now lately it has been a little harder here than usual not to go into details but we have been having a hard year with my husbands health. When I tell what has been going on it sounds like doubt and it is not calling those things that be not as though they were... I need to get my confession lined up with my faith! Which first starts with getting my thinking coraled... taking control of my thought patterns which go off on there own quite a bit. I think a lot of it is just habits we form and sometimes it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks... I need the Holy Spirit to quicken those things to me and shut my mouth so that I do a little more Kingdom walking.

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  8. Thanks for your insight on my blog. I love hearing encouraging stories of the struggles of others and how God has helped them through! THanks for encouraging me through you experiences! It is huge! I will be back again! :)

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  9. Rose, Especially in Psalms and Proverbs I find it easist to do it verse by verse. This is how I have taught a lot of times, it really becomes more clear to me in this manner.

    Theresa, thank you, that's why I like comments, everyone gets a chance to share how they see things.

    Lisa, Me complain? Are you kidding? LOL!, I love that we can speak change into our circumstances and lives. That is what is so great about "the authority of the believer". I hope I get to teach on that, awesome subject!

    Libbie, that's the miracle of God's word, it speaks directly to what we are in need of.

    Lee, me too!

    Hey Laura, can I come too? Great place for "time out".

    Tracy, I can't imagine a mean word coming out of your mouth. Sincere words of encouragement and appreciation are wonderful. I was talking about the kind that compliments in order to get ourselves into a better position with others. Hard to not use coarse slang here, you know "sucking up". Sorry, it's not like we haven't heard it before. Yuk.

    Rebecca, you're right, it's our thinking that constantly needs to be "renewed". Believe me, that's not always something I remember to do, until God has to remind me.

    Katie, glad your here, maybe some of what us 50 million year old gals can say, can help!

    Love you all!
    Debra

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  10. Hello Debra, I got to class late. Thanks for the tip on using the date in the margins. sandi

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  11. I am so glad I read your last comment. Sometimes I am not the sharpest pencil in the box, but when I compliment someone I truly do mean it. I try to be honest and if I can't be, then I say nothing.
    I'm still here and reading and learning.
    Debbie

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  12. Debra, thank you for saying that and I'm glad you don't consider me to be sucking up. LOL. When I first glance at the post to print it, my heart skipped a beat but that's because we, (no me), I tend to think oh Lord, please let me hear the message and not have to be hit in the head with a brick. Please let me see and correct my own faults and not be stupid to them. Weird and paranoid, hun? Oh' well that's me. :)
    xxoo's...Tracy

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  13. Gosh you guys, I wasn't talking about you all! You all are wonderful! Tracy you crack me up! I guess I better do a better job explaining. Glad you are able to ask questions. sorry, you all, love ya, I don't throw bricks!!!LOL

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  14. Debra, I'm not here everyday, but speed read through your study at least once a week. Keep it up! (You study much the same way as I do - maybe that's why I like it.) Keep following God's promptings and stay in the Word. Many will be "fed" and God will receive glory.

    This particular Ps. is very instructional for all of us everyday in face-to-face and blogging situations as well!

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  15. Thank you Debra for breaking it all down. It gave me a lot to think about. I have been going through a "phase" of my life of not allowing fakeness (false flattery?) in my life for about 2 years now. Maybe it isn't a phase. Maybe I am just realizing that I don't need (or want) to be around people who don't seem to have my best interest at heart because I have experienced a lot of pain? But unfortunately as a result I realize that I am quick to express my every thought when I feel expected to be something I am not just because someone expects it of me or when I feel so much around me is so different than the way I am feeling. That isn't right. Your readings today helped me to realize that I don't need to say everything on my mind. I just need to trust more in God leading the way.

    I wish I could say I was a quick study.
    Elizabeth

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  16. P.S.

    Just wanted you to know that every time I post my comments they never go through the first time. Many times they are lost. I have learned to copy my comments before I post because they get erased and then all I have to do is copy them back in when I try again. You might want to check your comment link. Does anyone else have problems?

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