Psalm 18

THOUGHT FOR TODAY-

This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, YOU MUST LASH YOURSELF TO THE HELM AND HOLD FAST YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S FAITHFULNESS AND HIS EVERLASTING LOVE IN CHRIST JESUS.

(Psalms 18:2)*

PSALM 18

David sang this song after God delivered him from his enemies and established him as the king of Israel. But keep in mind that he often sang to God in the midst of his trials. It is easier to sing after the victory; IT TAKES FAITH TO SING DURING THE BATTLE. As David looked back on those difficult years, what did he see?

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS (1‑3). God saved David, protected him, and strengthened him when Saul and his men were out to kill him. IS GOD YOUR REFUGE AND YOUR STRENGTH (Ps. 46: 1)?

GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS (4‑27). Those had been stormy years for David, yet God rescued him and upheld His dedicated servant. David had obeyed God's Word and accomplished God's will, so God rewarded him. WHEN THE STORMS COME, REMEMBER THAT GOD IS GREATER THAN THE STORMS AND WILL HELP YOU SEE THE RAINBOW.

GOD'S GENTLENESS (28‑36). God did many things to make David a great soldier, but His gentleness made David what he was (v. 35). God was doing more than winning wars; HE WAS BUILDING CHARACTER. IT HUMBLED DAVID TO THINK THAT GOD WOULD CONDESCEND TO CALL HIM, EQUIP HIM, AND HELP HIM (Ps. 8:3‑5). (See Ps.. 113:6; Isa. 57:15‑16.)

GOD'S EXALTEDNESS (37‑50). David did not take credit for his victories; he gave all the glory to the Lord. Whatever David had, God gave it to him; whatever he was, God made him; whatever he did, GOD ENABLED HIM. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

“Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.”

(Psa 18 NIV)

He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, O LORD, my strength. {2} THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER; MY GOD IS MY ROCK, IN WHOM I TAKE REFUGE. HE IS MY SHIELD AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION, MY STRONGHOLD.* {3} I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. {4} The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. {5} The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. {6} In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. {7} The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. {8} Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. {9} He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. {10} He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. {11} He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky. {12} Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. {13} The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. {14} He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. {15} The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. {16} He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. {17} He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. {18} They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. {19} He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. {20} The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. {21} For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. {22} All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. {23} I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. {24} The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. {25} To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, {26} to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. {27} You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. {28} You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. {29} With your help I can advance against a troop ; with my God I can scale a wall. {30} As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. {31} For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? {32} It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. {33} He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. {34} He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. {35} You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. {36} You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. {37} I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. {38} I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. {39} You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. {40} You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. {41} They cried for help, but there was no one to save them-- to the LORD, but he did not answer. {42} I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets. {43} You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. {44} As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. {45} They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds. {46} The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! {47} He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, {48} who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. {49} Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name. {50} He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Psalm 17

THOUGHT FOR TODAY-

As a child I wondered where God lived in outer space and how long it would take to get there. Far beyond intergalactic space with its billions of swirling nebulae and novas lies another dimension. Some speculate it's the fifth dimension. Wherever it is and however far out, the Bible calls it the highest of heavens.

You cannot go there in a rocket ship. That's because heaven exists beyond even speeded-up time. Traveling at a zillion miles per hour might catapult you instantly to the edge of our universe, but to take a step into the third heaven requires something different, for our flesh and blood cannot enter it. You must be born again or you cannot, as Jesus warned, "see the kingdom of God."

Joni Eareckson Tada, Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 5.

PSALM 17

"GOD IS SPIRIT" (John 4:24) and therefore does not have a body. Sometimes Scripture uses the parts of the human body to describe God's activities with respect to His people. He does not have eyes, but He sees us; He does not have ears, but He hears our cries. David referred to four of these in this psalm.

GOD'S EARS (1‑2). The enemy opposed David's just cause, so he cried out to God for vindication. David's prayer was sincere, and he wanted God to judge righteously.

GOD'S EYES (3‑5). DAVID HAD NOTHING TO HIDE. HIS HEART WAS RIGHT AND HIS WALK WAS RIGHTEOUS. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SAY THE SAME OF YOUR HEART AND WALK IF YOU EXPECT GOD TO ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS (Ps. 66:18).

GOD'S HAND (6‑14). David trusted not his own hand but the hand of God to protect him and to defeat the enemy. The pride of the enemy grieved David because he wanted God alone to be glorified.

GOD'S LIKENESS (15). God has in mind this goal when He permits you to go through trials: He wants to make you more like His Son (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3: 18). Although this verse may refer to future resurrection (I John 3:1‑3; see also I Cor. 15:49), it can be applied to life today. OUR LORD GOES WITH US INTO THE FURNACE SO THAT WE MAY BE MORE LIKE HIM WHEN WE COME OUT OF IT (Dan. 3:19‑25).

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

“Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.”

(Psa 17 NIV)

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer-- it does not rise from deceitful lips. {2} May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. {3} Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. {4} As for the deeds of men-- by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. {5} My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped. {6} I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. {7} Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. {8} Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings {9} from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. {10} They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. {11} They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. {12} They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover. {13} Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. {14} O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. {15} AND I--IN RIGHTEOUSNESS I WILL SEE YOUR FACE; WHEN I AWAKE, I WILL BE SATISFIED WITH SEEING YOUR LIKENESS.*

Psalm 16

****THOUGHT FOR THE DAY****

If we can convince people that we are onto something that's full of joy, they'll stampede one another to follow us.

-- William Treadwell, Leadership, Vol. 1, no. 3.

PSALM 16

You have taken a giant step toward true Christian maturity when you can say to the Lord and mean it, "MY GOODNESS IS NOTHING APART FROM YOU" (v. 2).

GOOD FELLOWSHIP (3‑4). God's people are not perfect, but we should delight in their fellowship and not in the fellowship of the world's crowd (2 Cor. 6:14‑18). The world needs our witness, BUT WE MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO START LOVING THE WORLD (1 John 2:15‑17).

GOOD HERITAGE (5‑6). Not just God's gifts, but God Himself! What a joy it is to let GOD CHOOSE YOUR INHERITANCE FOR YOU instead of acting like the world and fighting for your "place in the sun."

GOOD COUNSEL (7‑8). God gives wisdom if you will ask Him (James 1:5). God teaches you in the darkness as well as in the light. These verses are summarized in Matthew 6:33.

GOOD HOPE (9‑11). This passage is one of the few in the Old Testament dealing with resurrection. It refers to the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:22‑32), and THAT IS WHAT GIVES US OUR HOPE (1 PET. 1:3).

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

“Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.”

THE REAL SOURCE OF HAPPINESS

Yesterday, on The Today Show, they had a little excerpt, and on Dateline on NBC, they had an expose of the happiness industry. These are people who, for a fee, of course, will help you be happy. One of them was an ad man who left his advertising business and started something in New England called the Options Institute.

"I would like to be your happiness coach," he says to Maria Shriver. "I can teach people how to be happy. They just have to make a decision not to take on all the crap that the world gives them, and they have to decide to be happy."

Would that it were that easy. Wouldn't that be wonderful? No, we don't manufacture our happiness. We are the people with joy that is God-given. The only reason I'm not a candidate for suicide, the only reason I can put my feet on the floor in the morning, is because God's joy, God's person, God's character is in me. It gives me a reason to face life. I worship him with gladness because I'm his.

¨ Richard Allen Farmer, "The 'What's' and the 'Why' of Worship," (PSALMS 16:11)*

(Psa 16 NIV) . Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. {2} I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." {3} As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. {4} The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. {5} LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. {6} The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. {7} I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. {8} I have set the LORD always before me. BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, I will not be shaken. {9} Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, {10} because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. {11} YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE; YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE, WITH ETERNAL PLEASURES AT YOUR RIGHT HAND.*

Psalm 15 - The Right Relationships

THOUGHT FOR TODAY-

Right relationships are the soil in which the reward of righteousness can grow. And the only people who can sow these seeds, and who will reap the reward, are those whose life work it has been to produce such right relationships.

-- William Barclay, The Letter from James, Marriage Partnership, Vol. 5, no. 2.

PSALM 15­

David loved God's house and longed to dwell there and fellowship with God

(Ps. 27:4‑5). He yearned to be like the priests who lived in the tabernacle and had constant access to holy things. David wished he could even be a guest and pay God a visit, but did he qualify? Does anybody qualify?

GOD'S CHILDREN HAVE OPEN ACCESS INTO HIS PRESENCE THROUGH THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST (HEB. 10: 19‑25). He is our High Priest and Advocate in heaven, and He welcomes us. WE COME ON THE BASIS OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, not our own. But we had better be sure we have experienced the cleansing of Hebrews 10:22 before we rush into His presence.

THIS PSALM HELPS US EXAMINE OUR WALK, OUR WORKS, AND OUR WORDS (v. 2). The inventory includes our relationship with others (vv. 3‑4), how we keep our promises, and how we use our money (v. 5). MEDITATING ON THIS PSALM AND PONDERING THESE "QUALIFICATIONS" COULD HELP US DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

REWARDS FOR HONESTY

My son Jason's successes have come mainly in baseball, the most notable of which occurred in a single moment last summer. In the last three years, I doubt Jason has ever taken the field or the basketball court when he wasn't the smallest player on either team. Last summer, his lack of height was all the more noticeable because he was a seventh-grader playing in a seventh/eighth-grade league.

A fire-armed pitcher--more than a foot taller than my 4-foot-9 son--blazed a fastball right down the pike. I'm not sure Jason even saw the ball. Strike one. The second pitch scorched across the plate for a called strike two. The third pitch, unintentionally I'm sure, came right at Jason. He turned to avoid being hit and fell to the ground. His bat went flying. His helmet bounced off. The ball seemed to have skimmed his shoulder.

"Take your base," said the umpire.

Standing in the third-base coach's box, I was happy just seeing Jason alive, much less getting a free base. But now he was saying something to the umpire. What was going on?

"It didn't hit me," Jason said to the ump.

"Take your base, son," said the ump.

Our fans were most likely thinking the same thing I was thinking: Take your base, son. You've been wounded, soldier; your war's over. You're going home...

"But honest, it didn't hit me," Jason pleaded.

The umpire looked at Jason and out to the infield ump, who just shrugged. "OK," said the ump, "the count is one-and-two."

Should I intervene? Make him take his base? Jason was already digging in his cleats in the batter's box. I mentally shrugged and headed back to the coach's box.

The towering pitcher rocked and fired. A bullet right down the middle--the kind of pitch that would send the kid to the dugout. Instead, Jason ripped the ball into left-center for a stand-up double. Our crowd roared. The manager of the team in the field was standing a few feet behind me. He had no idea that the kid on second base was my son. He spit out his sunflower seeds and slowly shook his head.

"Man," he said, "you gotta love that."

¨ Bob Welch, A Father for All Seasons. From the files of Leadership.

LORD, WHO MAY DWELL IN YOUR SANCTUARY? Who may live on your holy hill? {2} HE WHOSE WALK IS BLAMELESS AND WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS, WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS HEART {3} and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, {4] WHO DESPISES A VILE MAN BUT HONORS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD, WHO KEEPS HIS OATH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS, * {5} who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psalm 14 - The Aftermath of Religious Breakdown

****Thought For The Day****

THE AFTERMATH OF RELIGIOUS BREAKDOWN

History shows that when religion wanes in any country, it is not replaced by popular nationalist philosophy that leads to universal happiness and peace. ... The vacuum left by the waning of religion in western countries has been filled by an army of superstitious cults and beliefs. Perfect secularism by no means casts out fear. (Psalms 14:1)*

¨ David H.C. Read. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 1.

PSALM 14

The contrast is between the generation of the wicked and the generation of the righteous (v. 5). THE LATTER GROUP IS MADE UP OF THOSE WHO HAVE TRUSTED THE LORD AND SEEK HIM AND HIS WILL (Ps. 24:6).

The generation of the wicked is composed of people who are "practical atheists": God is not in their hearts, no matter what they may say and do outwardly. THEY CAN LIVE WITHOUT GOD! They disobey God and exploit people made in the image of God. They are corrupt (v. 1), and so they do corrupt things.

THE GENERATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS CALLS ON THE LORD AND HE ANSWERS (V. 4). GOD DWELLS WITH THESE PEOPLE (V. 5), PROTECTS THEM (V. 6), AND GIVES THEM JOYFUL HOPE (V. 7). THE GROUP MAY NOT BE LARGE, BUT IT IS PRECIOUS TO GOD; AND THE FUTURE OF GOD'S PROGRAM RESTS WITH IT.

OF WHICH GROUP ARE YOU A MEMBER? Have you made your allegiance known?

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psa 14 NIV)

THE FOOL SAYS IN HIS HEART, "THERE IS NO GOD." THEY ARE CORRUPT, THEIR DEEDS ARE VILE; THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD. *

{2} The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. {3} All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. {4} Will evildoers never learn-- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD? {5} There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. {6} You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. {7} Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 13

HOPELESSNESS

During the football season, the college bookstore at Iowa State puts a big sign in the window saying "Kill Kansas" or "Whip Washington" or something like that, depending on the name of the upcoming foe. In 1983, just before Iowa State was devastated 72-29 by the nation's top-ranked team, the wording was altered a bit. The sign read: "MAINTAIN DIGNITY AGAINST NEBRASKA."

Psalms 13:4*

PSALM 13

ASKING (1‑2). FOUR TIMES DAVID ASKED, "HOW LONG?" He had prayed, but God had hidden Himself and not answered. David had examined his heart and knew of no reason why God should abandon him. The longer God waited, the more the en­emy would succeed. WHEN YOU HAVE THIS SAME FEELING, DO WHAT DAVID DID AND TALK TO GOD WITH AN HONEST AND HUMBLE HEART.

ARGUING (3‑4). Would God be glorified by David's defeat? Would God's cause be helped by David's death? Should the enemy rejoice while God's people suffer? DAVID REASONED WITH GOD BUT DID NOT TRY TO TELL GOD WHAT TO DO. SOMETIMES PRAYER MEANS WRESTLING.

AFFIRMING (5‑6). FAITH DOES NOT ALWAYS GIVE ANSWERS, BUT IT DOES GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT. No matter how successful the enemy appears to be, YOU CAN TRUST THE LORD, REJOICE IN THE LORD, SING TO THE LORD AND KNOW THAT HE WILL ALWAYS DEAL BOUNTIFULLY WITH YOU.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psalms 13 NIV)

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? {2} How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? {3} Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

{4} MY ENEMY WILL SAY, "I HAVE OVERCOME HIM," AND MY FOES WILL REJOICE WHEN I FALL.*

{5} BUT I TRUST IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE; MY HEART REJOICES IN YOUR SALVATION. {6} I WILL SING TO THE LORD, FOR HE HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Thomas 0. Chisholm, 1866-1960

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your Faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23)

One of the important lessons the Children of Israel had to learn during their wilderness journey was that God's provision of manna for them was on a morning by morning basis. They could not survive on old manna nor could it be stored for future use (Exodus 16:19-21).

While many enduring hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience, this was simply the result of the author's "morning by morning" realization of God's personal faithfulness in his daily life. Shortly before his death in 1960, Thomas Chishoim wrote:

My income has never been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. But I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness.

Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a crude log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky. From this humble beginning and without the benefit of high school or advanced education, he somehow began his career as a school teacher at the age of 16 in the same country school where he had received his elementary training. After accepting Christ as Savior, he became editor of The Pentecostal Herald and later was ordained as a Methodist minister. Throughout his long lifetime, Mr. Chisholm wrote more than 1,200 sacred poems, many of which have since become prominent hymn texts.

Great is Thy faithfulness, 0 God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not: As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Chorus: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morn­ing new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY:

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 36:5-7

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

[6] Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.

[7] How priceless is your unfailing love!

Both high and low among men

find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Amazing Grace – Kenneth W. Osbeck

Kregel Publication

Grand Rapids, MI

Hymns breathe the praise of the saints, The vision of the prophets, The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs.

They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed, Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.

They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations.

Study them to be pure in heart;

Sing them to be joyful in spirit,

Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship.

—Unknown

Psalm 12

DAVID'S WORDS (1‑2). In the previous psalm, David saw the foundations failing; in this one, the faithful were vanishing from the earth (v. 1). The godly remnant was getting smaller and smaller, and David was feeling very much alone. No wonder he cried out, "HELP, LORD!"

MAN'S WORDS (3‑5). What made David conclude that godliness was on the decline? THE WAY PEOPLE SPOKE. David heard flattering words, proud words, and oppressive words, and he knew that God was displeased. In our "age of communication," are you able to discern what is true and right? When you speak, IS IT COMMUNICATION OR MANIPULATION?

GOD'S WORDS (6‑8). GOD'S WORD IS PURE, PROVED, AND PRESERVED, AND YOU CAN DEPEND ON IT. So much of what man says is cheap and temporary, BUT GOD'S WORD IS LIKE PURE SILVER THAT IS VALUABLE AND LASTING. Let your words BE CONTROLLED BY HIS WORD AND GOD WILL MAKE YOUR WORDS VALUABLE (Prov. 10:20; 25:11).

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psa 12 NIV)

HELP, LORD, FOR THE GODLY ARE NO MORE; THE FAITHFUL HAVE VANISHED FROM AMONG MEN.* {2} Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. {3} May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue {4} that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips --who is our master?" {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 WHO MALIGN THEM." {6} AND THE WORDS OF THE LORD ARE FLAWLESS, LIKE SILVER REFINED IN A FURNACE OF CLAY, PURIFIED SEVEN TIMES. {7} O LORD, YOU WILL KEEP US SAFE AND PROTECT US FROM SUCH PEOPLE FOREVER. {8} The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Psalm 11

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED, NOT ONLY THAT YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD, BUT ALSO EVERYONE AROUND YOU IS SIGNIFICANT TO HIM, TOO.

PSALM 11

David was in great difficulty. Around him, the archers were getting ready to shoot. Under him, the foundations of society were shaking. What should he do? What would you do?

When you are in that kind of situation, YOUR FIRST THOUGHT MAY BE TO GET AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Even David's friends advised him to act like the bird and fly away. It is right to flee from temptation (Gen. 39:11‑13) BUT NOT FROM DUTY Neh. 6:10-11; Luke 13:31; John 10: 12‑13). Instead of flying away like a frightened bird, YOU SHOULD TRUST GOD AND "MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES" (Isa. 40:31).

If the foundations are destroyed, LAY THE FOUNDATIONS AGAIN. That is what Ezra did (Ezra 3:8ff.) and what each new generation may have to do. David became king of Israel and laid the foundations for a godly society. After all, GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE (v.4) and will one day judge the wicked (vv. 5‑6). IF YOU LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE (V.7).

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COUNTS

Frank Capra, who directed It's a Wonderful Life, was asked years ago about the central message of his classic film. After thinking a few moments, Capra responded, "I believe the real message of It's a Wonderful Life is this: that under the sun, nothing is insignificant to God."

Now, when you watch the movie again, you know that everything that happens has intended and unintended consequences. Everything, because it happened, causes something else to happen. Everybody in that story is important, because he or she relates to everyone else. Nothing is insignificant under the sun to God.

PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED, NOT ONLY THAT YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD, BUT ALSO EVERYONE AROUND YOU IS SIGNIFICANT TO HIM, TOO.

-- Jay Akkerman in Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership.

See: Ps 11:4*

(Psa 11 NIV) In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. {2} For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. {3} When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

*{4} THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; THE LORD IS ON HIS HEAVENLY THRONE. HE OBSERVES THE SONS OF MEN; HIS EYES EXAMINE THEM.

{5} The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. {6} On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. {7} For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; UPRIGHT MEN WILL SEE HIS FACE.

Psalm 9

****THOUGHT FOR THE DAY****

Peter Buehler, who helped lead John and Charles Wesley to experience conversions, once said, "If I had a thousand tongues, I'd praise Christ with them all." Charles Wesley expanded this stray comment into lines that became the well-known hymn "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing."

-- "The Golden Age of Hymns," Christian History, no. 31.

PSALM 9

PRAISE (1‑6). God had won a victory for David, so he sang a song of praise to the Lord. It was not a personal battle. Because David was doing God's will, the Lord maintained his cause. TAKE TIME TO PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE VICTORIES HE GRACIOUSLY GIVES YOU.

PROMISE (7‑12). David looked ahead to the time when God would finally judge sin and establish His righteous kingdom. His people do not need to worry: HE IS THEIR REFUGE AND WILL NEVER FORSAKE THEM (HEB. 13:5). THE FATHER FORSOOK HIS SON ON THE CROSS, BUT HE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU.

PRAYER (13‑20). From considering the past and the future, David turned to his present need as he prayed for God's help. His need was for mercy; his motive was that he might praise the Lord and tell others of His salvation. WHY? BECAUSE THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HELL (V.17) AND GOD'S SALVATION IS THE ONLY ESCAPE FROM THAT TERRIBLE PLACE.

PAUL ADVISED, "KNOWING, THEREFORE, THE TERROR OF THE LORD, WE PERSUADE MEN" (2 COR. 5:11).

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psa 9 NIV)

I WILL PRAISE YOU, O LORD, WITH ALL MY HEART; I WILL TELL OF ALL YOUR WONDERS. {2} I WILL BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN YOU; I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOUR NAME, O MOST HIGH.

{3} My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. {4} For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously. {5} You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. {6} Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.

{7} The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. {8} He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

{9} THE LORD IS A REFUGE FOR THE OPPRESSED, A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. {10} THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME WILL TRUST IN YOU, FOR YOU, LORD, HAVE NEVER FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU.

{11} Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. {12} For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. {13} O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, {14} that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation. {15} The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. {16} The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.

{17} the wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget god.

{18} But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. {19} Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. {20} Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men.

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL

Words and Music by Audrey Mieir, 1916­

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God , the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6 19V)

More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Isaiah told of One who would be the hope of mankind, the long awaited Messiah who would establish an eternal kingdom based on justice and righteousness. Isaiah's important pronouncement told that this one would be a God‑man: a child born‑His humanity; a son given‑His deity. The quintuplet of names ascribed to this One gives further insight into His character and ministry:

Wonderful‑ He would be wonderful in what He would accomplish for the fallen human race.

Counselor‑ He would be our guide through life, and our advocate before the heavenly Father.

The Mighty God‑ He would be the God before whom every knee shall one day bow.

The Everlasting Father‑ He would be the God of eternity.

The Prince of Peace‑ He would be the one who would ultimately bring a true tranquility among all nations.

Audrey Mieir has been widely known for several decades as the composer and author of many fine gospel songs and choruses. "His Name Is Wonderful," written in 1959, is one of her finest. She tells in her biography how the inspiration for this song occurred while she watched the annual Christmas program given at her Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California. After the usual procession of angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, the singing of "sleep in heavenly peace," the pastor of the church suddenly exclaimed‑"His Name Is Wonderful." Audrey Mieir tells that she quickly grabbed her Bible, searched the concordance for names given to Jesus in the Scriptures, and soon composed this song, which has since been sung around the world :

His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus,

my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of everything; His name is Wonderful,

Jesus, my Lord; He s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all age, Almighty God is

He; bow down before Him, love and adore Him; His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE TODAY-

(Psa 72:19 NIV) Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

(Prov 18:10 NIV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

(Prov 22:1 NIV) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

(Acts 4:12 NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(Phil 2:9-10 NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

(John 1:12 NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Amazing Grace – Kenneth W. Osbeck

Kregel Publication

Grand Rapids, MI

Hymns breathe the praise of the saints, The vision of the prophets, The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs.

They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed, Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.

They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations.

Study them to be pure in heart;

Sing them to be joyful in spirit,

Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship.

—Unknown