The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
These words of David are very poetic, so it would be easy to miss it: The Lord looks down from heaven… Don’t miss this. Yes, in this passage, he is looking for people who understand, but the point is that He is looking down from heaven, and observing us. This can be intimidating (if we are in sin), or these words can bring comfort. I, for one, am blessed and encouraged to know this.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
When we are in deep trials or suffering, we can echo these words with great emotion. children who have gone astray, families torn apart by sin, marriages ended, financial difficulties on all sides, the betrayal of friends. We cry out, “How long, Oh Lord?” the answer to ths suffering is in verse 5,
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I TRUST IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE. Faced with suffering that seems not to end, knowing we can trust in a LOVE that never fails, is a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” These words, penned by David in Psalm 12, were written long before the arrival of Jesus on earth, yet they are words that could describe our society excactly as it is today. Sin is sin, and as long as people choose to deny God and to disobey Him, verse 8 will be true.
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
This is certainly an appropriate question for our time: when the foundations are being destroyed – financial disasters, moral decline, unsure political and governmental agendas, personal struggles – what can the righteous do? That question is clearly answered in vs. 4: we can remember that God still reigns. He is in harge and WE belong to Him.
“But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,…”
Aren’t you comforted by this? God sees our trouble, our grief and considers before taking it to hand. He hears, He encourages, He listens. We may wait for God’s time to “handle” these griefs and struggles, but we know He is aware of them, and He cares about us. Just knowing that the God of the Universe is aware of my life and its struggles helps me rest in Him while I wait for His action.
The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.
Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know they are but men.
Lest we forget: the Lord reigns forever. Presidents come and go. Kingdoms fall. Dictators are overthrown. The Lord’s reign will never end. HE is in charge. Those who deny Him, reject Him or harm His people will come to ruin. Look at the end of vs 18, the HOPE of the afflicted will never perish.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth ! You have set your glory above the heavens.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place….
The psalmist tells us that God has set His glory above the heavens. At the same time, God gives us a glimpse of His glory in the heavens: the moon and the stars which He has set in place for us to see. This glimpse of His glory is a reminder of Who it is Who cares for us.
Psalm 1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”
This is an amazing and wonderful truth to keep in mind next time we are outside on a starry night.
O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
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No matter the struggles or terrors of life, take refuge in God. He is our shield. The Sovereign, Holy God Most High is our safe place. While we rest there in His presence, remember to thank Him for Who He is, and to give Him praise. Whatever the struggles we face, HE NEVER CHANGES.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
In our deep sorrow or struggle, we can find comfort in knowing God hears our weeping, our cries for mercy, and He accepts our prayer. We wait on Him to answer our plea. We wait on Him to relieve the suffering, but while we wait, He brings peace to our waiting.
…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31
Encouragement Vitamins 