FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (part 2)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and
do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

In my last post I wrote of freedom and responsibility from a social point of view.  In this post I’ll write regarding freedom and responsibility within the church specifically and Christianity in general. 

There is much freedom in Christianity.  We are free from meaningless rituals. We are free from human or animal sacrifices. We are free from legalism and what I call “behavior management” religion.  There is freedom is styles of worship, posture in prayer, and places to serve. Most importantly we are free from working to be “good enough” for Heaven.  Also, while we are commanded to tell others about God’s FREE gift of salvation, we are not held accountable for their free choice. 

However, like our nation (click see previous post), the church has failed to “keep standing firm” thus succumbing to inconsistencies.  It is quite possible that these inconsistencies within the church have been instrumental in supporting the inconsistences which exist in our society.  To be blunt, where society may have some excuse for being inconsistent, the church has none. 

Twenty-first century Christians gather weekly to declare our loyalty to God.  We sing praises to The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.  We proclaim the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the offer of salvation that results from that sacrifice. But when the service is over, we depart the gathering to live like everyone else. 

In our daily lives, no appears to be no significant difference in our behavior and the behavior of those who don’t believe.  More importantly, for all of our singing, clapping, teaching, preaching, and other activities designed to exalt God, once we are away from church, we tend to live lives of secret agent Christians, fearing to reveal our true identities. 

We will never speak louder or more clearly about our faith as when we live it out openly and without shame.  It is not enough to say “God is my top priority.” we must demonstrate it in our choices.  Not just the choices we make publicly, but also the choices we make privately. 

If I want a better World, we have to have a better nation.  If I want to have a better nation, we have to be a better state.  If I want to have a better state, we have to be a better county.  If I want to have a better county I have to be a better city.  If I want to have a better city, we have to be a better community.  If I want to have a better community, we have to be a better church.  If I want to have a better church, our families have to be better families.  If I want to have a better family I have to be a better me.  If I want to be a better me, I have to commit to living like Jesus! 

In our freedom to live, we cannot neglect our responsibility to imitate Jesus.  In our freedom from the punishment of sin, we cannot neglect our responsibility to make disciples of Jesus.  So it all comes down to who I want to be like.  Do I want to be like me or do I want to be like Jesus?

FIVE WAYS TO BE A BETTER FATHER

There is a crisis in our culture! A crisis that has been created by and can only be cured by men. 
Many of the problems we have in our society can be directly attributed to the failure of men to live a life worthy of imitation.  Too many biological fathers are absent from the lives of their children. There are those who pay support and maintain some level of interaction with their children, but only to the point where it is convenient for the father.  Selfishness rules in the lives of many of us (both male and female).

In recent years, (actually beginning in the 90's with “Beavis and Butthead”), the trend in television has been to portray parents as idiots and children as the most together members of a family (as evidenced by “The Simpsons”, “Married with Children” and “Family Guy” among others).  

The unity of the American family, those morals and values learned in family dynamics are foundational to the strength of our nation.  Many men understand the importance of family and the critical role a father plays in a family as a role model.  I especially admire those step-dads who are willing to step up and take on that daunting task.

1. LOVE YOUR WIFE PASSIONATELY . 
The way a man treats his wife has a direct bearing on how his son will treat his future wife and the way a daughter will expect to be treated by her future husband. Men need to let their children see them demonstrating respect and love to their wife and mother of their children. 

Also, keep children out of the battle when conflicts arise.  At the same time allow them to see their parents make up.  There is nothing wrong with kisses in the kitchen as long as it remains rated G. 

2.  MAKE FAMILY A PRIORITY
Children measure their value by the amount of time and attention their parents spend with them.
Our employers can be demanding and in today’s economy employment opportunities are limited. 
The more demanding a job becomes, the higher priority we need to place on spending time with my family. Our schedules don’t lie.  The things that I think are important are the things I spend the most time doing. Plan to spend time with your children. Pay the price to be at their performance or game. 

I mentioned in the opening paragraph that selfishness has become epidemic in our society.  It is this area, making my family a priority, where selfishness attacks the most.  We are physically tired at the end of our week.  We are mentally drained each evening.  It’s hard to pay the appropriate amount of attention to our spouse and children.  To win against the “selfishness monster” we need to place a higher priority on family activities than on me.  As a person with two adult children I can attest there is plenty of time for me now that they are gone.  Unfortunately, it’s time with them I desire.


3.  DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILDREN.
Discipline is one of the ways a father can communicate his love to his children.  Here is what the Bible has to say about discipline and love:

for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:12 (HCSB)

and

for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12:6 (HCSB)

Discipline doesn’t have to involve physical pain, but it does have to demonstrate consequences to disobedience.  The best discipline will involve character development.  It is unwise to discipline a child out of anger. Take time to reflect on the offense and an appropriate response to their actions.  Take the time to tell your children that when their privileges are taken away or when they have to be spanked, you are not trying to torment them.  Remember, the purpose of discipline is for training and correction.

And fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (HCSB)

4.  BE AN ENCOURAGER
In the quarter of a century that I worked with teens, the biggest difference I notice among them was between those whose parents encouraged them and those whose parents ignored them.  A father’s encouragement cannot be replaced by any other source.  Dads in particular have a powerful impact on their children by giving or not giving appropriate praise.

As I’m writing this section, I’m reminded of a situation that occurred while I was coaching football for a living.  One of my players was on the phone in my office and I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation as the boy asked his dad if he would be at the game that night.  I remember the boy pleading, “But Dad, I’m starting tonight!”  Here was one of the great moments of this young man’s short life and his father wasn’t going to be there to share it.  There were other games, the player was good and played often throughout the rest of the season, but his father would never get that moment back.

5.  BE A MAN OF INTEGRITY

But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 (HCSB) 

Be a promise maker and a promise keeper. Also, men need to walk their talk. Our children see who we are behind closed doors and in public.  What kind of example am I setting if I correct my child for stealing but bring packages of copy paper or ink cartridges home from work. Anything said about kindness and caring won't count in our children's eyes if they see us treating others badly.

FINAL NOTE:  

With Father's Day happening this weekend, I want to say that my Dad is all of these things.  

Thanks Dad for being a GREAT FATHER!

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

There is an old Hymn which states, “We have a story to tell to the nations...” What a true statement! The most effective form of advertising is known as the “testimonial.”  That is why advertising companies get someone to say things like, “I tried (insert your favorite brand name), it works! You try it too!”

I have heard many wonderful stories in my time here on Earth of different ways people have come to commit their life to God. Some stories were dynamic.  Other stories were very ordinary.  Regardless of the "excitement value",  all of them need to be told!  Why? Because they all involve an "Amazing Grace" from GOD!

The truth is we don’t have to be eloquent (it’s better if we’re not), it’s OK to be nervous (it is better if we are), and my story doesn’t have to qualify to become a “made for TV” movie (most people’s won’t).  What we need to do is to be honest, open, brief, and focus on the guarantee of being forgiven rather than on glorifying my disobedience. 

I believe the greatest personal story about God’s involvement in a person’s life comes when we can say, “One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”(John 9:29)  What a great story! What is your story? “I was ________ (fill in the blank), and now through faith in Jesus I __________ (fill in again).” It doesn’t have to be earth shattering, just real!  

Below is an excerpt from a song written in the 70's by a Christian couple and singers named Micky and Becky Moore:
Testimony Song
Well there is not much to tell
whenever I’m compelled
to share my testimony
there’s no hair-raising tails
of hell-raising days
with demons hanging all over me
and I never smoked dope,
or swore at the Pope
or spent the night with a “shady lady”
I just came in bold,
when I was ten years old
and said, “Preacher, I want HIM to save me. © Copyright-Maiden Music (http://www.mickeyandbecki.com)

The greatest story is one that involves a life lived Loving God and Loving People.

Final Note:  I invite readers to reply to this blog with your own story.  Please keep it to about 10 or 12 sentences or less.

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

NUMBER 5: 

PEOPLE ARE MADE FOR A MISSION (final part, AMEN)

Do you think any one of the people you know would be encouraged to know that God created him or her for a specific mission here on Earth? It’s true! God’s fifth reason for creating us is for a mission.  Jesus is quoted in the Gospel of John as saying,

 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  John 17:18 (NASB)

Every believer has two missions, one to fellow believers, the other to unbelievers. Actually it is more like a MINISTRY to believers, and a MISSION to unbelievers. It is not hard for us to do both, serving believers and helping unbelievers. The truth is most people are far more receptive to hearing the gospel from a friend than a stranger. That means our relationship with an unbeliever caries more value than our fame in this world. Put simply, “People don’t care how much you know.  They want to know how much you care.” This gives the average Christian an incredible opportunity for ministry and mission.

Each of us play a crucial role in helping the people around us to develop this sense of mission in their lives. One thing we can do is to help others see what mission God has planned for their lives. This doesn’t mean we have to be able to read tea leaves or someone’s palm, then declare to them the specific plan God has for their life.  Indeed not!  Rather, our role is to encourage and guide others around us.  God says this very activity (performing our ministry and mission) is one of the reasons why HE gives us the Bible.

God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17 (NLT)

The hardest thing is for us to be living examples of what we say we believe.  What does it say to the world when we endorse one thing, but never use it.  For example, what are we saying to the world when we say, I believe in eating healthy as I’m chewing on a chocolate candy?  Get my point. Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about this:

let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:16-17 (NASB)

We need to begin by asking God to grow each of us in all of these areas.  At the same time we should be building into the lives of the people around us, a strong sense of how God created each of them to experience a meaningful life. The great lie is that we have to be perfect, or really, really good to help others.  Again, NOT SO! Not all of us are called to be leaders, but we are all called to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Don’t be afraid to say to the people around you,  “Walk with me as I try to walk with God.”  You'll be amazed at what God will do!

H.A.B.I.T.S. (part 1)

There are six habits that produce a GREAT life! Today I'm posting the first three of those habits (some have suggested that my posts are too long) and I'll post the other three later this week (so keep checking back, or just join and follow for automatic updates).

 Some time back Stephen R. Covey wrote a book titled, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The book identifies 7 habits that will make the reader more effective in his personal and public life. Additionally, Covey claims that “this is powerful advice that will help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.”
    These six HABITS will produce perseverance, joy, and fulfillment in life no matter how good or bad things get!  The only cost is the time to read this post and the effort to implement the habits. WHAT A GREAT DEAL!

Here are the first three HABITS!
H. =  Hang Out with God
The most important habit we can develop is to spend time with God daily. The more the better, but remember God values quality above quantity.  Choose a place and a time where there is the least chance of being interrupted. I have a place on my porch that I use.  Praying or singing is allowed, but also listening.  It may feel awkward at first but stay with it!  It takes a little time to learn to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 49:10)

A. = Accountability with another believer(s)
Last year we emphasized every attendee being a part of an accountability group.  Here is the problem, many people have stopped their accountability groups.  Just because the banner is down, doesn’t mean the practice of accountability should end.  Strong Christians have trustworthy accountability partners (note more than one).  Begin today to gather a group of 3-5 devoted believers as accountability partners. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

B. = Bible Study regularly
To love God, we must first know God.  We get to know God through reading the Bible.  There are two ways we need to study the Bible. Alone (during our “hang time”) and together in a small group (accountability thing).  The Bible describes God’s personality, it helps us to experience Him, it describes His attributes, most importantly is repeatedly affirms His love for us.  There are more than 7,000 promises God makes to us in the Bible.  How many of them can you name? But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

Take time this week to begin to develop these first three HABITS!  They will serve you well in working on the next three.  If you need some help with H & B I suggest "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.  It's a 366 day devotional book that only takes about 8-10 minutes per day to do, but it is rich enough that you can also spend 30 or more minutes in deep study.  In short, it's very adaptable.

THE CASE FOR CURRICULUM

One of the more difficult tasks for a pastor is monitoring what is being taught within each of the church’s Bible study groups.  When Bible study groups go unmonitored, the door is opened for dissension within the church.  Unrestricted study group leaders can allow false doctrine to be taught, groups to degenerate into gossip sessions, and bad theologies to become accepted within the group.

To write a good Bible study lesson takes a lot of time and study.  Biblical interpretation is a science and writing a good lesson requires careful and correct hermeneutics. Without the proper preparation, a Bible study leader can easily twist and contort Scripture into a false doctrine or bad theology (even unintentionally) in an effort to respond to a question or comment.

Good Bible study curriculum, can limit misinformation being presented in the study.  Curriculum should be evaluated prior to being allowed to be used in a Bible study group.  Basic criteria for evaluation includes, but is not limited to, publisher, author, ease of use, doctrine(s) presented, and key theological points.

Equally important is good judgement on the study leader’s part. Leaders need to be free to  respond with “I don’t know” when faced with a question or comment not covered in the lesson material. More importantly, to ask “Where is that in the Bible?” when anyone makes a statement with the words, “I think . . .” (or anything similar to that phrase).

At Deltona Lakes, we use several key checkpoints to monitor our groups:
1.    Interview small group leaders who desire to write their own lessons.
2.    Require lesson notes from those who write their own lessons.
3.    Limit, review, and approve all Bible study materials that are used.
4.    Once a year for 8 weeks the church goes into “lock-step.” Every small group is studying the same Scripture text and every sermon is preached from that same text.  This is a great opportunity for us to present correct theology and doctrine to the entire church body.

These checkpoints may sound legalistic or over controlling, but they are not when they are applied through reason. What these checkpoints tend to do is to eliminate divisive personalities before they get into a position to do harm to the body.

In addition to the four checkpoints, we require our leaders and co-leaders to attend one of  two small group leader workshops held each year.  At these workshops we not only present the rules but also explain the reason for the rules.  Additionally, we spend about 90% of our time at the workshops providing training to enhance their small group leadership skills.

Since implementing curriculum standards and leader workshops, we have noticed a positive outlook and spiritual growth within Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.  There is a growing passion for ministry and a growing desire to know God!

THOUGHTS ON LIVING THE DREAM!

Many people spend their days trying to find real peace, true happiness, and complete rest. We often find ourselves chasing our shadow trying to grasp “the dream.”  The very first Psalm is a step by step process for receiving happiness, peace and rest from God.
Note: All scripture quoted from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, except where other wise noted.

    (1) How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!
A truly happy person is quickly identified by the things he doesn’t do. That is to say, his life is NOT directed by the opinions, advice, or influence of unbelievers. True happiness is a result of being full of joy, not a shallow pretense that is created by a temporary event or experience. A major problem among our society is most people are intellectually constipated.  People often say, “I am an individual and want to express my individuality.” But in truth the expression that they cherish is determined by someone else.  It may be a fashion designer, a writer, a photographer, reporter, etc., but they allow others to determine their actions.  This problem is not limited to fashion, rather it extends into every area of our existence.  We seek, even follow advise without concern for the qualifications of the advisor. 
God paints a verbal picture of the life style He has appointed for us in the book of Jeremiah, “I never sat with the band of revelers, and I did not celebrate [with them]. Because Your hand was [on me], I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.” (Jer.15:17). 

    (2) Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
The Bible is God’s instruction book for our lives.  Have you ever noticed that everything the Bible tells us to not do is harmful for us?  Not only that, but everything the Bible tells us to do is beneficial for us.  What is equally amazing to me is that sooner or later secular science always ends up agreeing with the Bible (regarding healthy and unhealthy habits).  The reason why the happy person doesn’t take advise from the world is because the world is made up of amateurs!  We are a bunch of creatures trying to pretend that we are more than we are, that we know more than we do.  Most worry-some of all is we are creatures pretending that we have it all figured out.  God is the expert! He created us and wrote the instruction book for life (The Bible).  The real question here is “Which does it make more sense to follow an amateur or the expert?

    (3) He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
    Cyprus trees are known for strength and their resistance to rotting.  Ever thought about where they grow?  They grow next to the water. In searching for life on other planets, astronomers focus their search to find “water planets.” One thing that biologist agree on is water is the source of life!  Jesus speaking to the woman in John 4 used the term “living water” to illustrate it importance of our relationship with God.  The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “For My people have committed a double evil: They have abandoned Me, the fountain of living water, and dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) 
          The Bible is God’s instruction book for life, it connects us with the “streams of water” that God provides to us.  Streams which make us strong, that enable us to “bear fruit,” and keep us from withering away.    

    (4) The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
The Hebrew word translated into English here as “wicked” can also be translated into English as “criminal.”  Other translations use the word “ungodly” here. We may conclude that “the wicked” are those who disobey God’s law.  They are “wicked,” “ungodly,” “criminals,” in God’s eyes.  The same law that the “happy man” (see verse 1) delights in destroys those who violate it.   I have spend a lot of time counseling people regarding the dangers of certain substances or particular behaviors.  We need to be equally motivated to proclaim the truth about God’s ways and His mercy available for those who disobey His law.

    (5) Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
The Bible makes it clear in multiple and varied ways and in numerous locations, that God is reserving a “day of judgement” for HIS creation.  As followers of Christ we must believe that!  Knowing that judgement is coming, our love for people should compel us to tell others about Jesus and the grace offered through His sacrifice.     
               
    (6) For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
This Psalm began with statements about people who are happy and those who are not. It closes with one of the pursuits coveted by people, the pursuit of protection. God promises His protection and also His guidance for those who obey His instructions. The Bible is our instruction book for life.  The better we know it, what it says to do and to avoid, the better our lives become.  It is so obvious and so simple.

DREW BREES, TIM TEBOW, AND HEALTHY CHURCHES

 Drew and Tim while two very different people who have different playing styles have a very important commonality.  With all of the success and media attention these two quarterbacks have received, it is not surprising that they consistently deflect praise towards their teammates.

They understand that no matter how accurate or how smart they may be, a quarterback is nothing if the receivers constantly drop the ball.  These two men understand what many people in our churches today fail to embrace.  It takes a team to win!  As great as any quarterback may be, he needs a team around him to block, run, and to catch.  He also needs a good defense to keep others from “outscoring” your team. Drew Brees, Tim Tebow, and other quarterbacks understand that it takes a great team to make a great quarterback!
 

    What football teams and churches have in common is that both require members to make huge sacrifices and work hard with little hope of fame or even public recognition. It takes eleven guys on special teams, eleven guys on defense, and ten guys on offense to make Drew Brees and Tim Tebow look good.  In the same way, it takes a lot of people in a church to make the church healthy and successful.

HEALTHY CHURCHES HAVE A STRONG TEAM SPIRIT

    Team spirit can be identified using the following criteria:

1.  there is a common goal;
2. there is a willingness to do whatever it takes to accomplish the goal;  
3. the team expresses a greater concern for team success, than personal attention or fame; 
4. they demonstrate an understanding that every position on the team is important; 
5. every member has a desire for excellence.

    What I’ve noticed in ministry is that healthy churches exhibit two things.  First and foremost, they have a deep love for God.  Secondly, they have a strong team spirit. For any church to grow into a healthy body of believers, it needs to make sure both of these elements are present.

   We need to understand that the church is designed by God to be a living,  functioning body.
  Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. Romans 12:4-5 (HCSB)

   Essentially, God designed it so that we all need each other to have a fully functioning healthy church. The very fact that the church is a body and not a business means that teamwork is more important to those of us in ministry than it is to people in a normal business relationship.

    I think we all agree that no single person has cornered the market on all the gifts it takes to make a church successful. The problem that I see with a lot of Christians, and I’m being blunt here, is that too many of us are afraid to admit to being able to do some of the things we can do. We push back against many service opportunities because we see them as insignificant or because we are afraid of being “trapped” in a role we view as unpleasant for one reason or another.

    The success of the early church was really about the many people who worked together toward a common goal. There was an attitude that everyone was important, but noone more important that the message and mission of the church. They realized that a single strand of hair is as important as a tooth or even an eye.  Today, we need the same attitude, just like every cell is important to a healthy body, every member’s role is equally as important to a successful church.

    We also need to remember that teams accomplish more together than individuals accomplish working separately.  This principle is taught all through Scripture. When there are more hands working, more can be accomplished. One example of this is found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, where we’re told that two are better than one, and a rope of three cords is hard to break.

Another example of teams accomplishing more than individuals is in Nehemiah, where people worked by groups or families. In the New Testament, Jesus sent people out by two to minister (Mark 6:7). Luke, in Acts 18, specifically mentions four people who were part of Paul's ministry team.  This mutual encouragement is vital to our ministry because we are NOT just working on well-meaning projects: we are in a spiritual battle -- carrying the most important message the lost world will ever hear!

Did God Abandon Tim Tebow?

There was much made about Tim Tebow and the surprising success of the Denver Broncos under his leadership this season.  Tim’s outspoken faith has led many to theorize that his success is a result of God’s intervention in football games.  Yet, this past weekend the Broncos lost badly to the Patriots and the game stats reflected a poor performance by Tim and company.  Sports Illustrated online wrote, “Tebowmania had no chance against Tom Brady 's playoff pedigree. (See: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2012/01/14/4834)

Did God abandon Tim when he needed Him most?  Is this a case of David losing to Goliath?

A problem in Christianity is the false belief that God makes life wonderful for believers.  This problem has been perpetuated by the world and unfortunately also by the church.  We should expect a blurred view from unbelievers, most spend their days at the foot of the cross shouting . . .

"He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. "He trusts in God ; let God rescue Him now . . .' " Matthew 27:42-43 (NASB)

Believers should know better.  Life as a Christian is anything but easy.  God indeed blesses us, but not always in ways that the unbelieving world values.  God has blessed Tim Tebow in many ways, most noteably, He has given Tim a platform to proclaim his faith in The Lord.  Not a cheap faith that is only visible in success, but a rich faith which is equally visible in defeat.  To quote from Facing the Giants, “If we win, we will praise God, and if we lose we will praise Him, too.”

What people need in this world of temporary things, is to see something permanent.  They need to see faith by God’s people that shouts, “No matter what, I’ll keep trusting God.”

Did God Abandon Tim Tebow? No! Just the opposite! God turned up the volume on Tim’s message, “Jesus saves, and can be trusted.”

Psalm 12 for 2012

I’ve taken some time off from the blog to travel and enjoy the Christmas season.  However, with the changing of the wall calendar from 2011 (a date I could never imagine experiencing when I was a teen) to 2012, I thought it appropriate to fire up the ol’ brain cells and write another post.

During the past three calendar years, the media has tried to convince us that life in the U.S. holds very little promise of success and that our economic status has little hope of recovery. Some of those reports were exaggerated in order to gain viewers/listeners and to sell advertising.  Some reports were accurate.  I have no intention of trying to identify which were which. 

I found it humorous when in November the media suddenly began to report that the economy was “looking up.” Which incidentally was precisely 12 months prior to a major election.  Imagine that! As usual for any election year, those in power will be saying, “things are getting better because of us.” While those who want the power will be saying, “things are this bad because of them.”   What does all of this have to do with Psalm 12?  I thought you’d never ask. 

Psalm 12 while a short Psalm (it’s eight verses long) packs a lot of punch. It also fits our situation in 2012, because of a complaint, a comfort, and a confidence.  Some theologians claim it is messianic in nature prophesying the time of Christ’s birth.  Others associate it with apocalyptic  literature describing end times (see John Gill’s commentary, Introduction to Psalm 12).  Regardless of one’s view, it certainly fits where I see in our world today.

Complaint
The author begins with a complaint, very similar to the one made by Elijah (2 Ki 19:14), Micah (7:2), or by Habakkuk (1:1).  A complaint that, while somewhat exaggerated, could very easily be made by any of us today. In that complaint is a cry for help. 
Comfort
Then there is a very important part where David finds comfort in the sovereignty of God. He also takes note of God’s power but as well as His declaration to act against evil. The psalmist even points out the value and assurance of God’s words. 
Confidence
In the last two verses we read of God’s desire to be protector and provider to us. That while ungodly people may brag, and evil may appear to succeed, God will prevail according to His schedule. 

This period of time we call 2012 may be remembered many ways.  It may be an election year, a recovery year, a destruction year (according to the Mayans we have until Dec.), whatever year, but most of all it is a year for us to live what we say we believe.  During 2012, I’ll complain about things, but I’m going to bring my complaints to the one who can do something about it . . .  God!  Then I plan to take comfort in His power to address my complaints.  Finally, I will pray for a confidence that will help me to be patient and trust God’s timing in taking care of my problems. 

Happy New Year to all!