A SONG OF ASCENTS.
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
Gracious God and Heavenly Father,
In our time, like every time before ours, we are surrounded by people practiced in deceit. They lie so easily. Politicians rarely speak the truth in a direct way. They promise what voters want to hear in order to stay in power, with no intention of following through.
Mainline churches, media and educators do not recognize the truth and promote harmful ideologies that have no basis in reality and are openly hostile to the gospel. Many people today even claim that there is no such thing as objective truth and everyone does what is right in his own eyes. Protect us, LORD, from the corrupting influence of the world. We are grateful, LORD, that you hear our prayers and answer us.
Your word in Revelation 21:8 teaches us that the fate of the liar is the lake of fire and the second or eternal death. Keep us from lying and guide us ever towards the truth, to Jesus himself, who is the way, the truth and the life. Father, it can be very lonely to be surrounded by people in our lives who do not know you, who do not want to know you, and who choose the lie over the truth, who prefer war to peace. We do not belong with them. We know the truth that the only answer to the problem of our sin has been dealt with by Jesus paying the price on our behalf on the cross. Understanding and believing this truth is the only way we can have peace for our souls. You have given us brothers and sisters in our church family who believe this truth and who can be a wonderful source of encouragement for us. For this and all your mercies we give you thanks.
In Christ’s name. AMEN