Week of February 2
Check Your Root System
Read: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4
“‘Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,’ says the Lord.”
Psalm 12:5, ESV

Introduction
“What’s this world coming to?” has become a common expression to voice shock and grief. Even a casual awareness of current affairs will lead a person to mourn the injustices in our communities. Call to mind the horrific losses from wildfires in California and the subsequent looting from nefarious individuals. Think also of the victims of hurricanes, whose efforts to rebuild have been drowned in bureaucratic red tape. In the span of a week’s time there have been a school shooting and the injury of seven San Antonio, Texas, police officers while answering a distress call. A widespread outbreak of respiratory viruses has blanketed our nation and many people have been left exposed due to limited access to health care. Widen the view to the world and consider global poverty, lack of health care, and limited access to education. Injustices abound, and one wonders how God feels about them and responds to the cries of humanity.
Interpreting the Bible Text
The hymn’s genre
This song of lament expresses the grief of Israel (Handbook). The general complaint is directed against a state of anarchy within the nation (12:1-4), followed by the Lord’s response (12:5), and finalized on a note of hope that God will protect the obedient ones against ever-present wicked humans (12:6-8) (Handbook; cf. EBC). The psalmist shows the contrast between humans who deceive one another, and the God whose promises are pure. All these words are set within a beautiful poetic framework that becomes a wonderful worship psalm. The song may even be titled: “A Prayer for Help in a Corrupt World.”
Ways to apply the psalm to daily life
Cry out to God for His help. We begin with the heart cry that is found in the first word in the Hebrew text: “Help!” God, this is beyond my ability to overcome, and I need every bit of the help You can provide to a helpless person. The reality is that the wicked are trying to rid themselves of the faithful (cf. 11:2; also 12:7). The psalmist looks around and wonders where all of the godly people have gone (cf. Isaiah 57:1; Jeremiah 5:1-2; Hosea 4:1; Micah 7:2). He knows that they are true to the Lord and that God loves them. The heart of the issue is that loyalty between humankind is no more. Culture suffers, according to the psalmist, from a drought of integrity (vv. 2-4; cf. “everyone utters lies to his neighbor”; Leviticus 19:11). This even rings true today, doesn’t it? The psalmist laments the dearth of “God-fearers.”
Wait upon the Lord. The Lord always hears and answers the cry of His needy people (12:5; cf. Exodus 2:24; Psalms 79:11; 102:20). Even though the psalmist knows that deliverance may be delayed for some length of time, he knows that God moves to remove the wicked (12:5b, 8; Isaiah 33:11-12). God delivers His people from the immediate malicious virus, even while He is working on the final cure. I cannot help but recall how Christ’s enemies sought to harm Him at times, but God delivered Him (Luke 4:30). They eventually crucified Him, but God vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead. God’s faithful should, as a result, never become fretful!
Wait upon the Lord. The Lord always hears and answers the cry of His needy people (12:5; cf. Exodus 2:24; Psalms 79:11; 102:20). Even though the psalmist knows that deliverance may be delayed for some length of time, he knows that God moves to remove the wicked (12:5b, 8; Isaiah 33:11-12). God delivers His people from the immediate malicious virus, even while He is working on the final cure. I cannot help but recall how Christ’s enemies sought to harm Him at times, but God delivered Him (Luke 4:30). They eventually crucified Him, but God vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead. God’s faithful should, as a result, never become fretful!
Applying the Text to Your Life
West Texas holds a beauty all its own in an incredibly challenging environment. One of the most hardy and beautiful plants in that region is the yucca. The plant is a perennial, evergreen shrub and withstands the often-harsh environment when other species of plants wither and die. The sword-like leaves are a first line of defense, but the secret to its survival goes much deeper and provides us with a visual illustration of our rooted-ness in God. That shrub buries its root system firmly and deeply in life-giving nourishment well beneath the surface of the ground. Yuccas prevail because they are designed to do so!
Here is a spiritual lesson. The psalmist teaches us that a faith community, rooted deeply in commitment to the Lord, will thrive even though evil seems to prevail (Psalm 1). Stay rooted in the Lord!
Here is a spiritual lesson. The psalmist teaches us that a faith community, rooted deeply in commitment to the Lord, will thrive even though evil seems to prevail (Psalm 1). Stay rooted in the Lord!
For Reflection and Action
1. The current allure of varying political, economic, and cultural options has led many in the church to a neglect of Christocentric harmony (faithfulness). Backbiting and infighting is rampant. Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together.” We must always remember that earthly systems and agendas will all fade away, but God’s kingdom and rule last for eternity. Pray that God’s church will remain supremely faithful to Him. What steps will you take personally, and in your church community, to encourage rooted-ness in God’s word and way?
2. For Families: Your kids probably know the importance of connected-ness to your family of faith. Ask them to bring their Legos to the kitchen table for a “church family” project. Share with them about this devotional. The psalmist teaches us that a faith community, rooted deeply in commitment to the Lord, will thrive even though there seems to be a lot of evil in the world.
Invite your kids to choose a color of Legos that represent their friends. Then another color to stand for the pastor and church leaders and Sunday School teachers. Another might be for the music team and instrumentalists, and still another for friends of family they know and love. A final color might represent people they don't even know, who also go to your church. Let them sort the Legos into color-piles.
Ask them to use their Lego “friends and family” to build a “House of God.” Ask them to be sure to use the colors to show what being connected to all of these people at church means to them. As your kids work, listen to how they are expressing themselves. After they are finished, take a video of their “House of God” while they explain, like a reporter, all about how they are connected to their church and why it is important.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
2. For Families: Your kids probably know the importance of connected-ness to your family of faith. Ask them to bring their Legos to the kitchen table for a “church family” project. Share with them about this devotional. The psalmist teaches us that a faith community, rooted deeply in commitment to the Lord, will thrive even though there seems to be a lot of evil in the world.
Invite your kids to choose a color of Legos that represent their friends. Then another color to stand for the pastor and church leaders and Sunday School teachers. Another might be for the music team and instrumentalists, and still another for friends of family they know and love. A final color might represent people they don't even know, who also go to your church. Let them sort the Legos into color-piles.
Ask them to use their Lego “friends and family” to build a “House of God.” Ask them to be sure to use the colors to show what being connected to all of these people at church means to them. As your kids work, listen to how they are expressing themselves. After they are finished, take a video of their “House of God” while they explain, like a reporter, all about how they are connected to their church and why it is important.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
Posted in Pathway Devotionals