Behold, The Promise of God is Pure
“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” – Psalm 12:5
In Psalm 12, David is surrounded by a world in disarray, where the faithful are disappearing and deceit is rampant. He cries out, “Help, Lord!” In response, the God who reigns in Psalm 11—the same God who remains unfazed, unmoved, and unchanged—acts decisively in Psalm 12. David’s plea does not go unanswered. The God who sits enthroned in righteousness now rises to act.
God’s resting does not signify His absence, nor does His observing imply a lack of compassion. His heart is inclined toward the weak, the broken, the weary, and the needy. He recoils from the self-made, the violent, the wicked, and the hypocritical. But for those who are humble and lowly, God’s promise is one of ultimate victory.
Pure Words for a Deceptive World
“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” – Psalm 12:6
In Psalm 11, the wicked act in darkness while God sits above, observing all. In Psalm 12, the wicked speak deceit and flattery, but God’s words are pure and trustworthy. His Word is life, filled with truth and good news. Unlike the deceptive flattery of the wicked, God’s words reflect His nature—goodness, holiness, faithfulness, and grace. God’s Word is as sure as God Himself.
Look To My Coming
There was a time when I frequently re-watched The Lord of The Rings. Aragorn, the ranger, receives a promise from Gandalf, the wise wizard: “Look to my coming. At first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.” As the plot unfolds, Aragorn finds himself surrounded by enemies, facing seemingly hopeless odds. Yet, he remembers Gandalf’s promise. As the sun rises, he sees Gandalf on a white horse, leading an army to rescue them.
This serves as a powerful metaphor for the hope we have in God. Just as Gandalf’s promise was fulfilled, so will God’s promises come to pass. God fulfilled His promises in Christ’s first coming, and He has promised Christ’s return. In the chaos of life, it’s easy to lose sight of this promise. We need reminders, like Gimli’s, who say, “The sun is rising.” We need to keep God’s promises at the forefront of our minds: “Look to my coming.”
What Is This World Coming To?
The question, “What is this world coming to?” becomes irrelevant for us. God has promised, “I will arise, I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” When you hear someone ask, “What is this world coming to?” see it as an opportunity to gently and calmly respond, “Would you like to know?” As Peter instructs in 1 Peter 3:15, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to give a defense for the hope that you have.”
Our alarmist culture provides an ideal opportunity to point others to the future Jesus has promised. While we are aware of the tragedy of sin, we also know the triumph of grace, as revealed in God’s Word. When the world falls apart, those who know Christ can offer the best news ever. The vision of God in Psalm 12 is this: behold, the promise of God is pure.
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