Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race. They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully. They say, “Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own – who can be our master?”
“Because of the oppression of the afflicted and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,” says the Lord. “I will put the one who longs for it in a safe place.” The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. You, Lord, will guard us; You will protect us from this generation forever. The wicked wander everywhere, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race. Psalm 12
My words…
Prayer for me
Lord, I need Your help. Will You lighten my heart? Satan is laughing, and I am crying. The Father of Lies controls so many tongues. King David struggled with the same problem 3000 years ago. Not much has changed. Living in a land of freedom emboldens anyone to say anything at any time. Some use their tongues to build up, but more wear it out with worthless talk – talk exalted by the human race. The dam of discernment has crumbled, and toxins spew forth, eating away at the respect which should exist between members of a civil society. But what I hear (and read) isn’t civil. It’s belittling, demeaning, and crude. And even though it isn’t directed at me, I am cut by it, bleeding on behalf of the one who must either bear up under it, or dive into the toxic flow and sling it back. Bind my wounded spirit by Your Spirit and send a ray of hope my way.
Prayer for others
Today is one of those days when I don’t feel like praying for those who blatantly burn others with their caustic tongues. But their souls are just as precious to You as the most innocent of Your children. So, I pray that they weigh each of their words before releasing them. I pray they will recognize worthless words and choose to keep them behind closed lips. And most of all, I pray they meet You who will empower them to do that and much more.
Praise
What a comfort I am afforded! After enduring the crush of worthless words which delight Satan, I know where to turn my ear and hear words of pure silver – Your words. They are truth. They are hope. They are healing.
