Faith, Consistency, Trust

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 11-13

 

Psalm 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.

(NKJV)

 

The reign of King David is not much different from the reigns of good men throughout history. He is anointed king and faces Goliath, whom he slays with God’s help (1 Samuel 17). He then must run from King Saul, who seeks to kill him (1 Samuel 19), and let us not forget the rebellion of his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-12). David also had to come to grips with his own sin (Psalm 51). However, despite all this, in Psalms 11-13, David lets us know he placed his faith and trust in the Lord, whose words are true and consistent.

 

Psalm 11 begins with a declaration by David of his trust in the Lord, the reason why he does not flee in fear when hard times come (Psalm 11:1). David is fully aware that the wicked aim to shoot the upright in heart (Psalm 11:2). David also declares that if the foundations of God’s word were destroyed, there is nothing the righteous can do (Psalm 11:3). However, David knows the Lord is in His holy temple and His throne is in heaven, testing the righteous and hating the wicked (Psalm 11:4-5). Because the Lord is righteous, He will rain judgment on the wicked and uphold the upright (Psalm 11:6-7).

 

Psalm 12 begins with David crying for help because the godly man ceases and the faithful disappear from among the sons of man (Psalm 12:1). David has seen everyone speaking idly with his neighbor, speaking with flattering lips and a double heart (Psalm 12:2). David then asks the Lord to cut off flattering lips and the proud who believe their words will prevail and no one can lord over them (Psalm 12:3-4). The Lord replies by assuring David He will rise against the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, providing the safety they yearn for (Psalm 12:5). The words of the Lord are pure and like silver tried in a furnace and purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). The Lord shall preserve His words and preserve them from this evil generation (Psalm 12:7). The wicked prowl on every side when the vileness of the sons of men is exalted (Psalm 12:8). God’s words are consistent.

 

Psalm 13 begins with David wondering how long the Lord will forget him and hide his face from him (Psalm 13:1). David continues wondering how long he must find counsel in his soul and have sorrow daily in his heart while his enemy exalts over him (Psalm 13:2). David asks the Lord to Hear him and enlighten his eyes so he does not die (Psalm 13:3). If David should die at the hands of his enemy, they will gloat believing they have prevailed over him (Psalm 13:4). David trusts in the mercy of God and his heart rejoices in the Lord’s salvation (Psalm 13:5). David will sing to the Lord because the Lord has dealt bountifully with him (Psalm 13:6).

 

David can place his faith and trust in the Lord because His words are true, pure, and consistent. While Jesus had not yet been born, David would relate to John 16:33 because his reign as king of Israel was full of trouble. In 2 Samuel 22:3, David says the Lord, his savior, has saved him from violence. We could look at this and believe David is delusional because his reign was engulfed in violence. However, there is a difference between being saved from violence and being delivered out of it, something David clarifies in Psalm 34:19. This is why David could write Psalms 11-13 to declare his faith in trusting a God whose Words and Promises are true and consistent.

 

Believers in Jesus as Savior must place their faith and trust in the Lord and not the things of this world, which will disappoint us. We live in a fallen and dangerous world that is also full of deception. To survive in this world, some place their trust in government and politics, trusting that a leader will emerge with all the answers, only to suffer disappointment. We believe that if I had more education I could survive or get a better job. Oh, I know, I need more money so I can have the ultimate security. While these things are not inherently bad, they are part of our fallen and corrupt world, and as such, will fail us. In Psalm 20:7, David sums things up by declaring he does not trust in chariots and horses, the tools of warfare in his time, but he will trust in the Lord.

 

The greatest thing the Lord has given to humanity is his gift of salvation from sin. In Romans 3:23, the Bible tells us we have all sinned, and in Romans 6:23 reminds us that the penalty for sin is death. We can try to achieve salvation through our good works, but these are insufficient to save us for only the grace of God can do that (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation from sin or drifted away from your relationship with God, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

In these chaotic times, place your faith and trust in God because He will never fail you.