Psalm 12 Continued…
Psalms 12:7-8 says, “O Lord, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”
David trusted in God’s words that He would keep them safe in the midst of proud people who strut about in smug self-confidence, placing a premium on things that are vile. God is able to protect His godly people from the lies of the enemy. If God’s people will saturate themselves with God’s Word, they won’t be seduced by “this lying generation.” When the church adopts the techniques and motives of the world system, the church ceases to glorify the Lord.
Christian friend, you can bind the words of God to your heart, and go fearlessly among wicked and vile men, because He shall keep and preserve you for all eternity— “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you” (Isaiah 54:17). So, the believer instinctively turns to the Lord for protection from this generation—protection not only from its attacks but from any form of complicity or compromise with it.
“The wicked freely strut about” in verse 8 is literally, “go to and fro.” Here we have a picture of the wicked and worthless men of “this generation” who exercise authority and power through deceptive words. They are continually on the prowl, exalting vileness (i.e. all manner of wickedness, lying and slandering, profaneness, oppression, cruelty, and the like) and scoffing at virtue. Yet God’s words, which are true, affirm that such people will be destroyed.
As God’s people worship God, pray, and share the Gospel with the lost, more people will trust Christ and increase the light in the land. We must also share the truth of the Word with the next generation (2 Timothy 2:2) and prepare them for the battles and opportunities to come (Psalm 78:1-8; 102:18). The church is always one generation from extinction, so we must be faithful to win the lost and teach the believers, or vileness will conquer the land.
God’s people cannot escape the encounters they are bound to have as long as they are closely surrounded on every side by this godless class of men. But though they talk insolently and act wickedly, God, seeing them for what they are, will protect His people from the damage they would cause and bring them home with Him one day! And what a glorious day that will be!
PRAY
Lord, thank You for Your love for us, draw us near to You, open our hearts to know You more every day. Show us how to serve You wholeheartedly, even during these difficult times. Help us to honor You in our thoughts, words and deeds. Strengthen our hearts and equip us so that we will be able to minister to others and tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ!