In The Word
Read: Psalms 39
The Futility of Life.
For the music director, for Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
39 I said, “I will keep watch over my ways
So that I do not sin with my tongue;
I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent,
I refused to say even something good,
And my pain was stirred up.
3 My heart was hot within me,
While I was musing the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue:
4 “Lord, let me know my end,
And what is the extent of my days;
Let me know how transient I am.
5 Behold, You have made my days like hand widths,
And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;
Certainly all mankind standing is a mere breath. Selah
6 Certainly every person walks around as a fleeting shadow;
They certainly make an uproar for nothing;
He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.
7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You.
8 Save me from all my wrongdoings;
Do not make me an object of reproach for the foolish.
9 I have become mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is You who have done it.
10 Remove Your plague from me;
Because of the opposition of Your hand I am perishing.
11 With rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing;
You consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Certainly all mankind is mere breath! Selah
12 “Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help;
Do not be silent to my tears;
For I am a stranger with You,
One who lives abroad, like all my fathers.
13 Turn Your eyes away from me, that I may become cheerful again
Before I depart and am no more.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Many times we are tempted to say words that are not good to other people, especially our enemies. King David said he had made a promise to himself that he was not going to sin with his tongue but would guard his mouth as with a muzzle before the wicked (Psalm 39:1). Knowing the Word made David refrain from sinning against the Lord because the Word of God tells us to love our enemies and do good to them (Luke 6:27).
Being quiet made David feel uncomfortable so he spoke out, but not to his enemies. Instead, he called out to the Lord asking for wisdom on how to handle situations such as these. David didn’t want to sin anymore because he knew there was a price to pay for every sin he committed.
Sometimes we find ourselves in the same situation as David, and we don’t know what to do since our flesh tells us to do one thing and our spirit tells us to do another. The wisest thing to do is talk to Yeshua and ask for His guidance. No matter how much our enemies gloat over our misfortune, we have to keep our hope in Jesus and never take our own revenge, because revenge belongs to Yeshua. The only thing we need to take care of is our relationship with Jesus, and the rest will fall into place. When we are about the Lord’s business, He will be about our business.
What will it be for you today, will you chase after your enemies or pursue Yeshua?