Psalms 12:5 (NASBStr)
“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”
We are going to go through afflictions in life. Those who call upon the name of The Lord will have affliction from the non-believer and the corrupt and worldly system that think it runs this world. In Psalm 12-14 we have an entire Theological description of the depravity of man and how they both deny God and despise those who believe in Him. If it were not for God, the afflicted would be all consumed and devoured by these who reject the truth of God and His plan for their salvation. Yet, in the midst of that obvious truth, God is our refuge. It is He who delivers us from those who would afflict us. As we groan and as God sees the devastation we can have at the hand of those who reject Him, God hears and rescues. He arises to provide us with the "safety for which we long." The word for "safety" in the above text is used over 200 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. The first occurrence is translated "salvation" in this text:
2 Samuel 22:3
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;
My savior, You save me from violence.
God not only saves those who believe in Him from the fire of hell, He also saves us from the torment on this earth. We don't always experience it in our current culture. God has given us safety through the meager laws of our country. But, in North Korea, today, there is a believer imprisoned who may not live out the day; all because of his faith. Because of our faith in this culture and country, we might have someone laugh at us, or rolls their eyes, or simply just ignore us. But, no matter the context of the affliction, we need to remember that it is not our smarts, brawn or resources that keep us safe. It is the Holy One of Israel that gives us the safety for which we long.
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