Have you noticed that people put anything and everything on social media for the whole world to see? It is almost as though we chant death to our privacy, decency, and sacredness. There is no shame anymore in letting the world see the details of our hearts and minds. We puke on Facebook as though we are proud of it! In the reading this morning, the Psalmist dealt with some intense feelings, thoughts, and struggles, but instead of throwing it up for the world to see, he chose a much different path. Notice what he says in our reading this morning, in Psalm 39:1-2.
I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred. (Psalm 39:1–2, KJV)
David is perplexed and distressed about something. Frustration has overcome his heart. Yet, he exercises privacy, decency, and sacredness. David is concerned about the wicked around him potentially misunderstanding him and God if he says what’s on his heart and mind. So what does he do? He exercises self-control and refrains from saying anything, whether good or bad. David refrains from sinning with his tongue by doing what we see so many do on social media. Yes, social media is an extension of our tongues.
As David refrained and exercised self-control, notice what happened. He says an inferno developed inside. Like a pressure cooker, his frustrations and turmoil grew to the point of boiling over.
My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue, (Psalm 39:3, KJV)
Yep! The Psalmist exploded! But not on social media, as it were! To whom was his explosion directed? It was directed to God. It was to God that he expressed his anguish. So what was bothering David? The brevity of life (Psalm 39:4–5), the futile rat race of life (Psalm 39:6–7), his rebellion, and the resulting chastening of God (Psalm 39:8–11). David is right to conclude that these frustrations could pose a stumbling block to the ungodly and godly alike.
Child of God, God is our source of help. David learned this time and time again, finally testifying of it in Psalm 40. Notice the help that David found God to be!
I waited patiently for the LORD; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:1–3, KJV)
Our God is big! He can handle our frustrations, confusion, and troubling thoughts and do something about them! It may require waiting on the Lord, but God will pull us out of the pit in time. In God, we have hope!
So what “do the many see?” What have we told the whole world? May it be that our God is great, for He has delivered us!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalms 25; 29; 33; 36; 39.
What a wonderful analogy. So much on FB should be dealt with quietly with God. Great lesson!
Introvert like myself already do this by default. So glad my Abba is always there to listen and guide me.
Something I have learned in my 70 plus year. God’s timing is perfect. So talk to God ask for patience, and then trust in God’s timing.