With the US presidential election heating up the exchanges of accusatory words and rhetorics between the two candidates and their parties are becoming more intense and sharp. As in any election season, if candidates are not careful about their choices of words it can backfire and haunt them on Election Day. One candidate is already being accused of inciting violence because of poor choice of words and careless off-the-cuff remarks. In Psalm 12, David notices the vanishing breed of godly and faithful men in his generation. In their place are people unabashedly uttering destructive words to others. To these people David has this to say, "They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak."

If we are not careful with our words we can easily bring harm and destruction to others even to those who are closest to us. Let's use our words to build up instead of to tear down, to encourage instead of to put down, to strengthen instead of to weaken. Words have power and through them we can impact the lives of others daily around us - potentially for life either positively or negatively. Let us leverage that power to its greatest use.

Psalm 12 also provides a stark contrast between the inconsistency of man's words and the integrity of God's words. After describing the words of the disobedient and oppressors of the poor, David has this to say about God's words, "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

The number seven symbolizes perfection. God's words are perfect and above reproach. We can depend on them and be our source of strength and courage in times of great need. His words are tried and true and when all else has failed His words will always be there for the humble and needy.

Now for those looking for safety and security in God hear this, "You shall keep them, O Lord, you shall preserve them from this generation forever."

That's His word for you and me and we can bank on it.