{"id":1298,"date":"2010-10-31T01:46:13","date_gmt":"2010-10-31T01:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-what-to-do-when-things-keep-on-getting-worse.html"},"modified":"2010-10-31T01:46:13","modified_gmt":"2010-10-31T01:46:13","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-what-to-do-when-things-keep-on-getting-worse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-what-to-do-when-things-keep-on-getting-worse.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: What To Do When Things Keep On Getting Worse"},"content":{"rendered":"

What To Do When Things Keep On Getting Worse<\/h3>\n
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Psalm 12:1-8<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nHelp, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing!
\n     The faithful have vanished from the earth!<\/p>\n

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Psalm 12:1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nPsalm 12 begins with a dire description of a culture on the road to
\nruin: “[T]he godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished
\nfrom the earth!” (12:1). In particular, the psalmist sees neighbors
\nlying to each other and violence done to the helpless (12:2, 5). “[T]he
\nwicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land” (12:8). The
\nbonds that hold society together are being severed as people lose the
\nability to determine right from wrong.<\/p>\n

\tSound familiar? Have you ever found yourself listening to the
\nevening news, thinking that the godly are disappearing and the faithful
\nhave vanished from the earth? I know I have. For me, the worst of all is
\nwhen people I trust go bad. I don’t expect much from those who traffic
\nin violence and crime. I don’t even look to celebrities and athletes to
\nbe exemplars of morality. But when trusted leaders are found to have
\ndone terrible things, especially when those leaders are pastors or
\npriests, I sometimes feel despair saturating my soul.<\/p>\n

\tWhen things seem to keep on getting worse, many people throw up
\ntheir hands in defeat. They figure they cannot make a difference in the
\nworld, so they choose to live for themselves and their momentary
\npleasures. Others sink into a pit of cynicism and negativity. Still
\nothers find the moral resolve to try and fight back, to stand for
\ngoodness in the face of mounting evil.<\/p>\n

\tScripture is clear that God’s people should be found in this last
\ngroup, those who try to make a positive difference. But Psalm 12:1
\nreminds us that our starting point should not be ourselves. When we see
\nlife crumbling around us, our first response should be to cry out to
\nGod: “Help, O Lord!” The Hebrew word translated in verse 1 as “help” is,
\nin fact, hoshi’a<\/em>, the first part of the Hebrew expression we know as hosanna. Hoshi’a<\/em>
\ncan also be translated as “save.” It’s a cry for God’s assistance, a
\nrecognition that God alone can save us from the mess we’re in.<\/p>\n

\tAfter we turn to the Lord and seek his help, he may very well call
\nus to participate in his work of making things right again. But instead
\nof relying on our own strength, and instead of exhausting ourselves
\ntrying to right every wrong, we will respond to God’s call to focus on a
\nparticular need. Moreover, we will seek to address this need, to make
\nright what is wrong, by the power of God at work within us through the
\nSpirit.<\/p>\n

\tQUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:<\/strong> Can you relate to
\nPsalm 12:1? When do you feel despair about the state of the world? What
\ndo you do with your despair? Has God called you to be part of his
\nright-making effort in the world? If so, to what area of need has he
\ndirected you?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
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\nPRAYER:<\/strong> Gracious God, I can easily relate to the
\ndesperation and despair of Psalm 12:1. It does seem sometimes as if the
\ngodly are disappearing and the faithful have vanished. So much in our
\nculture seems to be heading toward ruination rather than restoration.
\nSo, with the psalmist, I cry out to you: “Help, O Lord! Save us!”<\/p>\n

\tPlease protect me, Lord, from a defeatism that sets me free to
\npursue my own selfish gain. Keep me from cynicism that can sound so wise
\neven as it excuses me from making a difference for good in the world.
\nHelp me not to rely on myself and my own efforts, as if I had either the
\ncalling or the ability to change the world.<\/p>\n

\tRather, may I cry out to you for help, again and again. May I rely
\nupon you and your strength. As you guide me, may I be faithful in all
\nthings. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, your righteousness,
\nyour justice. Help me to be a person of truth and compassion, for your
\nglory. Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/i> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What To Do When Things Keep On Getting Worse Psalm 12:1-8 Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing!      The faithful have vanished from the earth! Psalm 12:1 Psalm 12 begins with a dire description of a culture on the road to ruin: “[T]he godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: What To Do When Things Keep On Getting Worse - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1298"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1298\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}