1 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)
[Theme] Appeal in Distress/ Call on the Lord in distress
In this ascending poem, the poet expresses that he has been attacked by hypocritical and deceitful people. He eagerly cried out to God, begging God to get him out of the present situation. The poet knows deeply that he must trust in God because His justice and judgment are like sharp arrows and burning coals that can help the poet overcome the disturbing lies and deal with the voices that attack him.
Where did the poet live? The poet lived in Meshek and Kedar – one is at the north of Palestine (southern Turkey) and the other is at the southeast of Palestine (the Arabian desert area. The poet is tired of hanging around and living with those treacherous people. He feels that as long as he speaks, he is ready to fight. He also gradually realized that by living amongst those people, he will never find peace! The poet decided to leave the realm of the Gentiles, join the ascending group, draw near to God, seek God’s face, cry out to God, and ask God for salvation!
[Meditation]
In today’s information explosion, how much information is not mixed with lies? How much of the news does not have an inherent bias? How much honesty, integrity, and justice are there in the environment we live in? Those words that hurt and destroy people often make us tired of dealing with them, even damaging ourselves. Is the pain experienced by the poet also the one you have experienced before?
Let us rise up from this world together and come to God! No matter what voices we heard in the past and what hurts we have suffered, let us step forward with faith, raise our heads, and look up to our Savior. We will be comforted and healed because of His faithfulness and love. We will have power and wisdom because of God’s presence. He will help us overcome all worldly wars and deceitful words!
[Prayer]
“The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm and all of them are righteous.” (Psalm 19:9) Today, I offer my gratitude to God for being able to worship Him. I ask God to speak to my heart through the Bible so that I can be free from lies and deceit, and separate from the world. I also pray to God for using my words and tongues to glorify Him and offer a good testimony.
[Memory Verse]
Psalm 120:1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.