I have been a bit distracted from my commitment to pray the psalms regularly so decided to get back on track this beautiful Monday morning. Next up was Psalm 12, and when I saw the superscript, "Plea for Help in Evil Times", I thought whoa - what an interesting time to return to this spiritual discipline!
As I read this psalm, and reflected on the words that stood out to me, the first thought that came to my mind was "fake news". Not that the psalm itself was fake news, but rather that the psalmist was describing a world in which "fake news" was the norm.
This is a term that only a few years ago we made fun of because how could "news" be fake? Wouldn't that be just gossip? Or lies? By definition isn't "news" supposed to be "the truth"?
Not so much. And I really resonated with the psalmist's claim that "vileness is exalted among humankind". It certainly feels like over the past few years we have fallen into that pit of words, where truth was determined by the listener based on their own biased perspective. As the psalmist says "They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak."
So interesting that at this moment we seem to be rising up, and the tongues and lips that lie are being exposed by pictures! Or more specifically, video. Because we've always had photos of brutality against the vulnerable and marginalized. That's how we've documented our US history of oppression. But "evil tongues and lips" could explain the pictures away. It's not what you think. You don't know the whole story. They deserved it. Even "it's for their own good".
But the videos have changed the conversation. And when its multiple videos from multiple sources and angles, the lying tongues get twisted in their explanations. Eventually the truth becomes evident, empowering the oppressed to rise up up and tell their story. The true story.
For those who profess to be good people, that's enough to get them off the fence and into the streets. To risk the fight for justice. To do what they know is right but just weren't sure was needed. But now they know. Because technology has opened their eyes & their hearts, and has mobilized their bodies.
We may be surrounded by evil but we have not succumbed to it. God works in mysterious ways, in and through us. We may not be able to predict what will happen, or when it will happen, but we can be confident in God's promise to hear us, help us and give each and all of us the opportunity to live whole lives.
Prayer for today
Dear God,
Help me to stay strong and keep the faith. Despite the evidence that I see around me that would suggest that evil has triumphed over good. When I feel surrounded by evil, remind me to look up. To remember that you are with me, with us. To open my eyes and heart to the truth so that I may stay focused on doing your work in the world without distraction. Amen.
