Daily Readings and Thought for January 5th. THE WICKED PROWL AS VILENESS IS EXALTED”

 The Psalms are the Hymn Book of Israel and most of their hymns address situations among the people of God – as David understood God’s all seeing eyes would perceive them.  We learn that human mentality never changes – except when it is influenced by divine words and messages to “lay up treasure in heaven” – thoughts which we expressed yesterday.

Much of the world has been blessed because 400 years ago, the A.V. version of the Bible was first printed and then sold in tremendous quantities.  Many blessings came at that time because so many human minds were influenced to think godly thoughts and, as a result, to live in godly ways: that influence slowly faded away over time; it was an influence on individuals most of all. 

However, those who know the Bible well know that it frankly considers the whole of our human situation.  David grew up in a world that was far from godly: King Saul was a man of very limited spirituality.  In one of today’s Psalms we read David’s words deploring the godlessness around him.   He did what he could when he became king to influence his people to better ways of thinking and living. 

Some of the Psalms he wrote are so true of life today. He pleaded for God’s help – “Save O LORD … for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.  Everyone utters lies to his neighbour; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak” [Psalm 12 v.1,2]  Further on we read, “On every side the wicked prowl as vileness is exalted”  [v.8]  It sounds so much like the days of Noah that we read about 2 days ago; thankfully God promised Noah he would never again destroy all life on earth. 

Nevertheless, our readings last week in Revelation again indicated that awesome judgements from God would occur when “the Word of God”, obviously meaning Jesus, returned to judge and punish the world (Ch. 19 v. 11-15)  But looking at Psalm 12 again lets specially note David’s words, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace …” [v.6]  How great our need to feed on such words, may all who read this give priority  to reading God’s words every day.