“And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6).

At the beginning of this psalm, David wrote that “no one is faithful anymore” (Psalm 12:1) and “everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts” (Psalm 12:2).

Those are hyperbolic statements… in some ways. And in other ways, because we’re sinful human beings, those blunt observations are the harsh reality, aren’t they?

We lie. To ourselves… to our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors… to God. We flatter others but harbor deception—perhaps even resentment—in our hearts. We’re not faithful. Far from it.

But God is.

Jesus sang, prayed, and fulfilled this psalm for us, so we can call on the Lord for his help, his protection, and his salvation. We need those things from him. We need him. Because what was true in David’s day is still true in ours today.

It can be impossible to know where we really stand with the people in our lives.

As Christians, we want to take words and actions in the kindest possible way, but we’re still sinful people. And we’re dealing with sinful people too. And we wonder. And we doubt.

It can be exhausting to try to figure out if people are telling us the truth. What do they really think of us? How do they really feel? Do they mean the kind words they say, or do they have some hidden, ulterior motive? Are they saying one thing to our face and then saying something completely different behind our backs?

Exhausting!

Is it any wonder that David cried out to the Lord for help at the beginning of this psalm?

“Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race” (Psalm 12:1).

How about us? A little closer to home, do you and I ever wonder how God really feels about us? What are we to do when the devil’s whispering lies fill our ears and minds with doubt?

Jesus once said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Focus on that amazing statement, dear Christian. Because of Jesus, we never have to wonder where we stand with God. We never have to try to figure out if he’s speaking the truth or lies to us. It’s all truth. God cannot lie!

What does God really think of us?

He loves us and wants us to be with him in heaven. He means that—and to prove it to us, he sent his Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life, die a shameful death in our place, and rise again, the first fruits from the grave. For us.

Dear Christian, there’s no hidden, ulterior motive behind God’s words and actions. We don’t have to peel them apart, or try to burn the dross away like silver or gold being purified and refined in fire. They’re already flawless, purified, and perfect. God means what he says. All of it. His words are flawless. All of them.

Our prayer is that God’s words and actions influence, shape, and motivate our own. So that we speak the truth in love to others, just as God speaks the truth in love to us. When we’re overwhelmed by all the lies, confusing false praise, and hidden motives, what a comfort to know that the Lord is our help. He is faithful. His words are true. Always.

What does God really think of us?

He loves us. He loves us. He loves us.