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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 24 March 2024:
Psalm 12:1 — Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
The psalmist wanted salvation from a society of people that had lost all goodness, all godliness. Without the people of God to be salt that preserves and the light that exposes darkness, a society can become a virtual hell on earth. When the whole world turns wicked, will you still be holy, obedient and pure? How about your family. In times like this, when faith is being attacked, you need to double down on obedience. When the world increasingly and continuously communicates godly knowledge and values, you need to double-down on your study of God’s word to counter the lies – “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven time.” (Psalm 12:6) In dark times, the word of the will be a lamp to your feed, guiding your every step. (Psalm 119;105), and it will be your message to a sinful world – “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.” (Proverbs 10:20) Be very careful not to water down the message of truth – “Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water.” (Isaiah 1:22)
Psalm 12:3, 4 – May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”
Flattery is selfishness disguised by nice words. Flattery always has behind it a selfish motive. Similarly, many will speak of justice to pursue unjust gains; many will speak of love to promote lust; many will call love hate in order to disguise their own hate; many will define the language of an argument in order to win the argument. However, God’s word will prevail, and we need not deviate from it. Nor do you ever need to sin to be safe and secure. On the contrary, careful, diligent obedience to God’s word is essential for true living:
– Joshua 1:8 — This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
– Psalm 119:9-10 — How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
– Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 — Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Psalm 12:4, 5 — “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” … “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
The LORD will give you the safety for which you long. If you want to trust on the world’s wisdom for security, the LORD will let you. However, if you seek Him will all your heart, God promises you will find Him, and He will be your impenetrable stronghold. (Jeremiah 29:13; 2 Samuel 23:14; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 37:39; Proverbs 10:29; Jeremiah 16:19; Nahum 1:7; Zechariah 9:12)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 24 March 2024: Today, stop worrying about how wicked society has become. Trust, obey, and communicate the truth of Jesus Christ everyday to everyone who will listen and even to those who won’t.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 