Welcome to Day 2428 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 12:1-8

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2428 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2428 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we are going to delve into Psalm 12. This psalm, attributed to David, speaks to the heart of human struggles with deceit, oppression, and the power of God’s words. As we read Psalm 12:1-8 from the New Living Translation, we’ll uncover profound insights about the integrity and trustworthiness of God in contrast to human deceit. Let’s embark on this journey together! Psalm 12:1-8 (NLT): 1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! 2 Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. 3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. 4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?” 5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” 6 The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. 7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, 8 even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. The Cry for Help: David begins Psalm 12 with an urgent plea for help: “Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!” (verse 1). This opening sets a tone of desperation and concern for the state of society. David observes a troubling decline in godliness and faithfulness, which leads him to cry out to God. David’s lament highlights a timeless issue: the erosion of moral integrity in society. He feels the weight of living in a world where the righteous are becoming scarce, and it seems like those who live faithfully are vanishing. This cry resonates with us today, as we often witness similar challenges in our own world. The Prevalence of Deceit: In verses 2-4, David describes the nature of the deceit he sees around him: “Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, ‘We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?’” David points out the widespread dishonesty and flattery among people. Neighbors lie to each other, indicating a breakdown in trust and integrity within the community. The mention of flattering lips and deceitful hearts suggests that the deceit is not only prevalent but also deeply ingrained in the way people interact with one another. David’s prayer for the Lord to cut off flattering lips and silence boastful tongues shows his desire for divine intervention. He is aware that human efforts alone are insufficient to address the pervasive deceit. The bold declaration of the deceitful, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?” underscores their arrogance and the challenge in overcoming such pervasive dishonesty. God’s Response to Oppression: In verse 5, we see a powerful shift as the Lord responds: “The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.’” God’s response is both comforting and empowering. He acknowledges the violence and oppression experienced by the helpless and the poor. God’s seeing and hearing their suffering is a profound reminder of His awareness and compassion. God is not indifferent to the struggles of the oppressed. God’s declaration, “Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do,” provides assurance that He will act in defense of the vulnerable. This promise of divine intervention brings hope and underscores God’s commitment to justice and righteousness. It is a powerful reminder that God is aware of our struggles and actively works to deliver us from them. The Purity of God’s Promises: Verse 6 highlights the integrity and purity of God’s words: “The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.” This verse emphasizes the contrast between human deceit and God’s truth. While people may lie and flatter, God’s promises are pure and trustworthy. The imagery of silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times, underscores the perfection and reliability of God’s words. There is no impurity or falsehood in what God promises. For us, this means that we can fully trust in God’s promises. In a world where deceit and dishonesty are common, the purity of God’s words stands out as a beacon of truth. We can rely on His promises to guide us and provide us with hope and assurance. God’s Protection of the Oppressed: In verse 7, David affirms his trust in God’s protection: “Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation.” David’s confidence in God’s protection directly results from the purity and reliability of God’s promises. Because God’s words are pure and trustworthy, David is assured that God will protect the oppressed and preserve them from the deceitful generation. This verse encourages us to place our trust in God’s protection. Even when surrounded by deceit and dishonesty, we can be confident that God will safeguard us. His promises are our refuge, and His faithfulness ensures our preservation. The Strutting Wicked: Verse 8 brings the psalm to a close with a sobering observation: “Even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.” David acknowledges the reality that the wicked often appear to thrive and that evil can be celebrated in society. This closing verse serves as a reminder that the presence of wickedness and the praise of evil are ongoing challenges. However, in the context of the entire psalm, this observation does not overshadow the assurances provided earlier. Despite the wicked strutting about and the celebration of evil, David’s confidence in God’s protection and the purity of His promises remain steadfast. Lessons for Our Journey: As we reflect on Psalm 12:1-8, several key lessons emerge that are highly relevant to our lives today:

1. Recognize the Decline of Integrity: David’s observation of the disappearing godly and faithful individuals is a call for us to be vigilant about the moral and ethical state of our own communities. We must strive to uphold integrity and faithfulness in our interactions.
2. Understand the Pervasiveness of Deceit: The prevalence of deceit in David’s time mirrors the dishonesty we encounter today. It’s essential to be aware of this and seek truth in all our dealings.
3. Trust in God’s Intervention: God’s promise to rise up and rescue the oppressed assures us of His active role in addressing injustice. We can trust that God sees and hears our struggles and will act on our behalf.
4. Rely on the Purity of God’s Promises: In a world full of deceit, God’s promises stand out as pure and trustworthy. We can depend on His words for guidance, hope, and assurance.
5. Be Confident in God’s Protection: David’s confidence in God’s protection encourages us to place our trust in God, knowing that He will preserve us from the deceitful generation.
6. Stay Grounded Despite Wickedness: Even when wickedness seems to prevail, and evil is praised, we must remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God’s ultimate justice.

Applying These Lessons: Applying these lessons to our daily lives deepens our faith and guides our responses to challenges. Recognizing the decline of integrity encourages us to be beacons of honesty and faithfulness. Understanding deceit’s pervasiveness helps us seek and uphold truth in all circumstances. Trusting in God’s intervention reassures us that He is actively working on our behalf. Relying on the purity of God’s promises provides us with a solid foundation amidst a world of falsehood. Being confident in God’s protection gives us peace in the face of adversity. Staying grounded despite the presence of wickedness strengthens our resolve to live righteously. Conclusion: As we conclude our exploration of Psalm 12:1-8, let’s carry these lessons with us on our journey. Recognize the decline of integrity, understand the pervasiveness of deceit, trust in God’s intervention, rely on the purity of His promises, be confident in His protection, and stay grounded despite wickedness. By doing so, we align ourselves with the timeless wisdom of this psalm and navigate life’s challenges with faith and assurance. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Wisdom-Trek. May these insights from Psalm 12 inspire and strengthen you as you continue your trek through life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom, cherish each moment, and continue making a positive impact on the world around you. Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!