Today's Reading: Psalm 12 & James 1:12

Have you ever felt alone, abandoned, helpless? 

Have you ever felt like you were being forced to swim against the social currents out there today? If so, how did that feel? David gives us some insights into these emotions in this Psalm and some encouragement. 

There was a time when I was the ONLY Christian in the faculty of the elementary school I was employed in! And it was hard! The staff knew I was a Christian and I felt as though I had very few "friends" in that school though I remained friendly with everyone. I felt I was always being watch, talked about, for they wanted to take me down, so they would no longer feel any glimmer of conviction and be free to live as they saw fit in their own eyes. 

During that time I could relate to Elijah, who at one time, also felt He was the only one left on earth to fight for what was right! He was a great prophet, used mightily by God in the days of Ahab and Jezebel, but the fight became too hard at one point for Elijah, 

“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

So God lets Elijah in on His plans,

Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.

Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” - 1 King 19:14-18 (emphasis mine)

We can see in Psalm 12 that David was also acquainted with that same feelings.