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

Psalm 8

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

God uses broken things. Broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.

-- Vance Havner, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, no. 4.

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PSALM 8

The universe is vast and full of grandeur, so why should God pay any attention to weak and insignificant men and women? BUT HE DOES! He can use the weakness of babes to reveal His great strength (Matt. 21:16) and to defeat the enemy (the way David defeated Goliath (1 Sam. 17). If He can use infants, SURELY HE CAN USE ANYBODY.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE GOD MADE YOU IN HIS IMAGE (v.5); Gen. 1:26‑28). Sin has marred that image, BUT IN JESUS CHRIST, THAT IMAGE CAN BE RESTORED (2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3: 10).

You are important because God has shared His dominion with you (vv. 6‑8). Man lost that dominion when he sinned, but Jesus Christ has regained it (Heb. 2:6‑8). Can you think of occasions when Jesus Christ proved that He had dominion over beasts, birds, and fish?

YES, YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD, AND HE HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOU TO FULFILL. He wants you to "reign in life" through His Son - Rom. 5:17), for you are enthroned in the heavenlies with Him (Eph. 2:6). WHY LIVE LIKE A SLAVE WHEN YOU CAN LIVE LIKE A SOVEREIGN?

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

GOD IN THE STRAW

Theodosius Harnack, Luther scholar of note, said that for Luther the imperative was to have "God deep in the flesh." Christmas celebrates just that: God deep in the flesh. So great was God's longing for his creatures' redemption, says Luther, that God's preference for human nature over angelic nature might even have provoked the angels to jealousy!

But PSALM 8 nudges that issue: what are human beings that you are mindful of them? They have been made a bit lower than angels but crowned with glory and honor. A preference for humans: in that lies the Christmas gospel. ...

There is God in the flesh, thriving in a placenta, protected by a water bag, bouncing on a donkey ride to Bethlehem where his folks had to meet the local IRS. No different than any other baby at the time. While God preferred human nature to the angelic, God asked no human favors and got none. When inns are full they are full. Sleep where one can. GOD DEEP IN THE FLESH BECAME GOD DEEP IN THE STRAW. Mary, the mother of the Creator, sustained the one who sustained all the living.

-- C. John Weborg in The Covenant Companion (Dec. 1994). Christianity Today, Vol. 39, no. 14.

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(Psa 8 NIV)

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. {2} From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. {3} When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, {4} what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? {5} YOU MADE HIM A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE HEAVENLY BEINGS AND CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR. {6} YOU MADE HIM RULER OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; YOU PUT EVERYTHING UNDER HIS FEET: {7} ALL FLOCKS AND HERDS, AND THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD, {8} THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, AND THE FISH OF THE SEA, ALL THAT SWIM THE PATHS OF THE SEAS. {9} O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 7 - Lincoln In Welfare's Hands

Former Governor Henry J. Allen of Kansas made a statement that makes such good sense that it should be more widely disseminated. Said the Governor:

"Had Abraham Lincoln been living today, the Rotary Club would supply him with a set of books; the Lions Club with a good reading lamp; the Cosmopolitan Club with writing equipment; and the Kiwanis Club with a wooden terrazzo for the cabin."

"He would have the protection of child labor insurance. A kindly philanthropist would send him to college with a scholarship." "Incidentally, a case worker would see that his father received a monthly check from the country. He would receive a subsidy for rail-splitting, another one for raising a crop he was going to raise any way, and still another subsidy for not raising a crop he had no intention of raising.

"Result: There would have been no Abraham Lincoln!"

PSALM 7

We do not know what Cush said about David, but apparently he was one of the "court liars" who flattered Saul and made life difficult for David (1 Sam. 24:9). When you have a "Cush" in your life, do what David did.

BE HONEST WITH GOD (1 ‑5). David did not say that the enemy was telling the truth, but he was willing for God to examine him and punish him. He had nothing to hide.

LET GOD BE THE JUDGE (6‑13). IT IS WISE TO LET GOD BE THE JUDGE BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENT IS ALWAYS RIGHT (1 Cor. 4:3‑5). We do not see ourselves and others as He sees, so it is best to turn the matter over to Him. David was careful to maintain his integrity (v. 8) and let God be his defense (v.10).

WAIT ON THE LORD (14‑16). Sin has a way of bringing its own punishment if we wait long enough. It is like giving birth to pain and trouble (v. 14; James 1:14‑15), falling into a pit (v. 15), or getting back the trouble that they tried to impose on others (v. 16).

GIVE GOD THANKS (v. 17). What does it matter that men slander us, so long as the righteousness of God prevails and the name of the Lord is glorified!

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psalms 7 NIV)

O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, {2} or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. {3} O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-- {4} if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe-- {5} then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah {6} Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. {7} Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high; {8} let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. {9} O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. {10} My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. {11} GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, a God who expresses his wrath every day. {12} If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. {13} He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. {14} He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. {15} He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. {16} The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. {17} I WILL GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD BECAUSE OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WILL SING PRAISE TO THE NAME OF THE LORD MOST HIGH.

Psalm 6 - Obstacles that Test

Strong faith in God does not come all at once. It is often gained through willing submission to His love and goodness in the midst of trial.

In February 1862, President Lincoln's son Willie died, and his son Tad became seriously ill. A Christian nurse attending the sick child recalled that the President watched by his bedside and often paced, saying, "This is the hardest trial of my life. Why is it? Why is it?"

She told him that she was a widow and that her husband and two children were in heaven. She saw the hand of God in it all and never loved Him so much as she did after her great trials.

"How is that brought about?" inquired Lincoln.

"Simply by trusting in God and knowing that He does all things well," she replied.

"Did you submit fully under the first loss?" he asked. "No," she answered, "not fully. But as blow came upon blow, and all were taken, I could and did submit."

Lincoln replied, "I'm glad to hear you say that -- I will try to go to God with my sorrows." After a few days, she asked him if he could trust God.

He replied, "I think I can. I will try. I wish I had that childlike faith you speak of, and I trust he will give it to me."

PSALM 6

This psalm grew out of an experience of sickness and pain, when David thought he was going to die. Besides that, he had to put up with the attacks of his enemies who wanted him to die. It was a time of deep discouragement for David, BUT HE DID NOT WAVER IN HIS FAITH.

As he prayed, he asked for mercy for his body (vv. 1‑2) and his soul (vv. 3‑5). MERCY MEANS THAT GOD DOES NOT GIVE US WHAT WE DESERVE, AND GRACE MEANS THAT HE GIVES US WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE. What a loving God He is!

David reminded God of his tears of repentance and confession (vv. 6‑7). His bed should have been a place of rest, but it had become a place of trial as God chastened him.

BUT THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING: David was assured and his enemies were ashamed (vv. 8‑10)! God heard and answered his prayers! WHEN THE NIGHT IS DARK AND LONG, KEEP ON TRUSTING, AND THE DAWN WILL COME IN GOD'S GOOD TIME.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psa 6 NIV) For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. {2} Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. {3} My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? {4} Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. {5} No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave ? {6} I AM WORN OUT FROM GROANING; ALL NIGHT LONG I FLOOD MY BED WITH WEEPING AND DRENCH MY COUCH WITH TEARS. {7} MY EYES GROW WEAK WITH SORROW; THEY FAIL BECAUSE OF ALL MY FOES. {8} AWAY FROM ME, ALL YOU WHO DO EVIL, FOR THE LORD HAS HEARD MY WEEPING. {9} THE LORD HAS HEARD MY CRY FOR MERCY; THE LORD ACCEPTS MY PRAYER. {10} All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.