Bible Reading: Ruth 3 & 4; Acts 28; Jeremiah 38; Psalms 11 & 12
Psalms 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
The 12th Psalm is all about words. It is a plea for help from the Lord because the godly men are hard to find and those who are in positions of power are liars. There is great hope in this Psalm because God promises to arise and set the godly in safety.
Psalms 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
When God speaks, you can trust his word. When the ungodly speaks you never know if they are telling the truth or not.
Psalms 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
The magnificent promise of this Psalm is that when God speaks his word is pure. When you pick up the Bible and read you can know that God's word is pure and true. Not only that but God has promised to keep his words and preserve them to all generations. When he promises he means it and God keeps his word!
Not so with the wicked. They lie and speak out of both sides of their mouth. Now this Psalm tells us that when vile men are exalted the wicked walk on every side. When a nation exalts a vile man into a position of power there will be wicked men all around him. His close associates and counselors will be wicked men. He will appoint wicked men to other positions of influence and power in the nation. This can be seen in the Word of God on numerous occasions when the king of Israel or Judah was wicked. The wickedness abounded in the nation as a result of a wicked ruler.
How can you tell what a ruler is like? Listen to what he says. Does he speak the truth according to the Word of God? Does he tell the truth about his life and history? Does he genuinely want to help the people or does he have an agenda that is detrimental to the nation?
What are we to do if a vile man is exalted in our nation?
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
We must pray that God will let us lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. If a vile man is ruling we must pray that God remove him or transform him. Let's trust God and pray for our leaders.
In Christ,
Rody
