The Safe Haven Desired by the Godly

 

 

 

 

[Psalm 12]

 

 

In the book The Next Generation Leader by Pastor Andy Stanley, the 5 C's are discussed. The last C is "Character." This highlights the importance of the next generation's leaders focusing on their character, as the author points out. To emphasize this, he refers to some surveys, the key point of which is that people want leaders who are honest, sincere, truthful, and trustworthy, among other qualities. However, in the age we live in, there are countless leaders we are forced to follow (because everyone seems to want to be a leader), but we should ask ourselves how many of these leaders we actually want to follow. The reason for this reflection is that, in reality, such leaders may not be as numerous as we think.

In today’s reading from Psalm 12:1, David says, "The godly man is gone, and the faithful have vanished from among men." David could not find godly or faithful people around him. Here, the term "godly man" refers to someone who is favored, someone who is loved by God (P. Yoon Seon). To elaborate further, the "godly man" is also a "faithful person." In other words, it refers to someone whose character is strong and trustworthy (P. Yoon Seon). A godly person, loved by God, does not become undisciplined as a result of God's love but instead becomes more solid and dependable (P. Yoon Seon).

So, the question that arises is, "Am I a godly person?" Is my character firm and trustworthy? This may feel like an unusual question because it is rarely asked. More commonly, the question we ask is, "Is that person trustworthy?" Instead of striving to be a reliable and steadfast person ourselves, we often hope that others will be the ones to embody these qualities. As a result, we rarely ask ourselves, "Am I a trustworthy person?" Therefore, from the perspective of others, we need to often ask ourselves this question: "Am I a trustworthy person?"

We live in a time where pastors cannot trust their congregation, and even among pastors, there is a lack of trust. Moreover, the congregation no longer trusts just any pastor, as it might have been in the past. What is the reason for this? As I reflect on today’s Scripture from Psalm 12, I believe the root cause is that "the godly are becoming fewer" (verse 1). This world has become a place where it is hard to find godly people. Godly pastors, godly believers... How many leaders, particularly pastors, do I truly desire to follow from the heart? I would like to pose that question today.

As I meditated on this passage, I applied a few things to our church:

  1. First, as the senior pastor, I resolved to be a person with a firm character and one who is trustworthy. I made a commitment not to give up on the maturity of my character, striving to become a pastor who reflects the Lord.

  2. Second, I decided to focus more on fostering godly leaders with firm character and trustworthiness among the leaders of our church. I will share God's love with them and work toward building such leaders.

  3. Lastly, I made a commitment to pray and work hard for the entire church, both leaders and members, to be built into a community where we can trust each other.

Now, what is the "safety" that the godly desire, as mentioned in Psalm 12:5? It is none other than "salvation" (P. Yoon Seon). In other words, the "desired safety" refers to the salvation that both the godly, the "afflicted" and the "needy" (verse 5) earnestly long for (P. Yoon Seon).

This is why David, the psalmist, prays in verse 1, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases," longing for salvation. Why did David pray such a prayer to God? The reason was that in a time when lies, flattery, and deceitful speech filled the land (verse 2), and wickedness ran rampant (verse 8), the godly were being oppressed and groaning in their poverty (verse 5). Why were the godly oppressed and persecuted? Because they were truthful (verse 6). David, a man who possessed the truth of God’s Word, was persecuted by those who lied, flattered, and boasted with their tongues. These wicked people said, "With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?" (verse 4), as they used their speech to sin recklessly. Would these wicked people allow David, the godly man, to remain unharmed? No. That is why David called for help from God. He begged for salvation—he asked for safety.

And God responded to David's prayer with a promise: "Now I will arise, says the Lord, I will place him in the safety for which he longs" (verse 5). This was God’s promise that He would no longer sit idly by, watching as His godly people suffered. At the appointed time, He would act. God promised that He would raise up a mighty salvation, just as someone waking from sleep, and would protect the godly forever (verse 7).

In this world, there are deceitful, flattering, double-minded tongues—wicked tongues that strike fear into the heavens and spread terror without understanding the consequences. Because so many Christians are deceived by these tongues, we live in an era where the number of godly and faithful people is rapidly diminishing. In such a time, we must strive to be godly people, meaning individuals with firm character and trustworthiness. And as we become more godly, we must not give up the pursuit of a godly life, even when facing the oppression and persecution of stronger, more wicked people. Instead, we must pray more fervently and long for God's salvation. When we do this, our Lord will place us in the "safety" we long for. No longer will God sit idly by and watch. He will rise and place us in the safety we desire.

Victory!

 

 

 

With assurance of salvation,

 

 

Pastor James Kim’s Sharing
(Looking to the Lord, our refuge and safety)