March 28, 2014 (Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “I said to myself, I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me. But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:” Psalm 39:1-3 NLT
Observation: Sometimes we grow weary in the battles we face; we get tired and begin to think the storm will never end. We cry out and beg for God to help us, but He seems to be too busy elsewhere to help us. David knew this feeling well. He was the anointed king of Israel but had not yet been able to take his rightful place on the king’s throne. His own son tried to kill him and take the throne from him. His enemies chased him and many tried to kill him. Many times David must have felt like something must be wrong. Surely if God was for me I would not be encountering so much pain and grief. The depression of these realities led David to sit in silence. He didn’t want to sin against God by complaining to others about how God was allowing him to be treated. Yet the more he thought about the situation the hotter he got. The turmoil that grew inside David led him to explode with a fire of words; he cried out to the Lord and trusted in Him to save him.
Application: Have you ever had something on your mind that just smoldered within you. You tried to put it aside and just let it be, but the more you thought about it the hotter you got. What was your response? Did you eventually burst out with anger and complain to anyone that would listen, or did you conduct yourself in a manner pleasing to God? I know it’s easier said than done, believe me I’ve been there. And no, I’ve not always done as well as I know I should have. Sometimes I just don’t understand why God allows some things to happen. I just don’t understand why He allows some people to seemingly get by with doing wrong, while others He disciplines instantly and constantly. But then I turn to His word and see an example like David to encourage and correct my thinking and actions. David’s example teaches me to watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I learn from David’s example to bring my complaints before the Lord and express my most inner thoughts to Him, and Him alone.
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for failing to conduct myself in a manner that was pleasing to You. Forgive me for my outburst of anger that was vented on any ear that would listen. Forgive me for being frustrated with You over the way I was being treated by others. My hope is in You alone and if You decide to allow some circumstance into my life that I must deal with, so be it. I trust You and know You will always do what’s right, and what’s best. In Jesus name, Amen!