Psalm 12:6-8 (MSG) God, keep us safe from their lies

Psalm 12:6-8 (The Message)
A David Psalm

^6-8God's words are pure words,

Pure silver words refined seven times
In the fires of his word-kiln,
Pure on earth as well as is in heaven.
GOD, keep us safe from their lies,
From the wicked who stalk us with lies,
From the wicked who collect honors
For their wonderful lies.

We are bombarded with images about what our lives should look like.  Bombarded with advertisements about all of the things we should have.  Bombarded with images about what success should look like.  An example of these images, is how alcohol ads show drinking beer is an essential thing that you must do with friends - implying that drinking alcohol is the way to guarantee a good time.  We all know the implied and promised messages in ads aren't true.  We all know that none of those things bring true happiness.  We all know it's all lies.

Yet, somehow we get sucked in to hype.  Eventually, progressively chasing these things turns into a habit, then into something that's mandatory, and finally we lose control.  Whether it's from gambling, drinking, sex addiction, or shopping addiction.  The stories are all the very similar.  Somehow, the ads never show the problems that come from addiction - just the bliss.  The ads and images never show the bankruptcies, the lost relationships, or the broken careers.

That's why it's so important to follow and believe in the words of God.  They are pure.  God's promises are not about worldly wealth or success.  His idea of an abundant life is where we thrive with blessing that can't be measured, in love, in happiness.  His word and His promises see through the lies of the companies and people, who benefit from our addictions and our downfall.  The companies care only about their own success and profitability.  They don't care about addiction or the ruin that addiction creates.  They stalk us looking for ways to keep us "loyal" - adding more alcohol, sugar, or caffeine making their products more addictive.  But God, and his word, is pure.  We will be safe if we follow His word.

Dear God, thank you for your word.  Continue to keep us safe from the wicked who bombard and stalk us with lies.  Help us see through the lies, and that happiness does not come from having or consuming a particular product.  Help us, rather, see that happiness comes from living in your word.  Continue to remind us that it is in giving that will shall receive.  Let us not forget that it is in our forgiveness that we will be forgiven, and that it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.  All this we pray in your name, Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.