HELP, LORD!
PSALM 12:1-8
Introduction:
This psalm furnishes us with good thoughts for bad times. We are in bad times now and the only source of help is the Lord.
Did you notice how quickly people have run to the Lord when they thought they were in trouble on September 11? Now things are getting back to normal (sinful). Las Vegas is at 92% capacity, the airlines are doing better, and Disney World had to close the doors several times because of too many people.
The World is back to playing at their own interest and God is left out of their lives except for emergencies.
I. WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES THE TIMES BAD
A. Man’s opinion of what bad times are:
1. Lack of money
2. Lack of trade
3. The desolation of war
B. The Scripture’s definition of bad times, 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
1. When there is a general decay of godliness among men, v. 1, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
a. For the godly man ceaseth, Isaiah 1:9, “Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
b. For the faithful fail from among the children of men, Isaiah 59:4, “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.”
2. When corruption and debauchery are common, v. 2, “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
a. Corruption, Psalm 36:3-4, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. 4-He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
1) There is no faithfulness in their mouth, Psalm 5:9, “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”
2) Mischief is in their hearts, Psalm 28:3, “Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.”
3) They deceive the hearts of the simple, Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
b. Debauchery (extreme indulgence of one’s appetites, esp. for sensual pleasure).
1) In the unnatural, Romans 1:27, “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
2) Man does not like to retain God in their knowledge, Romans 1:28-32.
II. THE GOOD THINGS IN BAD TIMES
A. We have a God to go to in bad times, v. 1, “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
1. The Disciples cried our to Jesus in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Matthew 8:25, “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.”
2. The Lord lifts up our heads in difficulty, Psalm 3:2-3, “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
B. The Lord is our salvation, Psalm 62:1-2, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. 2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.”
C. The Lord sustains us, Psalm 62:5-6, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”
D. He is our Refuge, Psalm 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
1. Power belongs to Him, Psalm 62:11, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”
2. Mercy belongs to Him, Psalm 62:12, “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.”
CONCLUSION:
“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21-For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22-Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:20-22.
We can cry unto the Lord in bad times as well as good times. He is ever present to help us and to comfort us through His Holy Spirit.