“Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely.” –Psalm 139:4
Perhaps this clever tactic would keep Uncle Luther from saying whatever pops into his mind.
This will come as no surprise to regular readers of this blog, but if there’s one aspect of my personality that’s likely to get me in trouble, it’s my sarcasm. I love a good wisecrack, and given the chance to be serious or go for the quick joke, I’ll choose the joke 80 percent of the time.
When I read this verse, I often think; “Lord, if you know what I’m going to say before I say it, why don’t you stop me? If you did, I’d get into less trouble and I’d probably have more friends.”
I have a hard time putting the brakes on from the time a thought enters my mind until it leaves my mouth. When I was a child, a large majority of the spankings I received were related to my being a smart-aleck. Consequently, as an adult, I tend to stay quiet in social settings. Oh, I have quite a few funny thoughts and observations, but I hesitate to verbalize them for fear of being ostracized.
God knows every word before I utter it. He even knows the words I choose not to speak. He knows my thoughts. How embarrassing! He knows my thoughts about others. He knows my thoughts about myself. He knows my thoughts about Him. God, forgive me. If my words are filthy, sardonic, cruel and offensive, how much more are my thoughts? My Lord, do you have to look? Can you close your eyes?
At the same time, there is comfort in this verse. When I speak and offend a friend, or even a stranger, or my not-so-gentle readers, it is usually because my words were taken the wrong way. God is the only one who truly knows the intent of what I say.
Despite my tough exterior and my “I don’t give a rip” attitude, at heart I would never want to cause harm to anyone. I would never knowingly say anything to intentionally hurt someone. I’ve had to explain that to more than a few friends over the years. It is comforting to know that there is Someone who knows the intent of my words completely.
“You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.” –Psalm 139:3
I’m a private person. I’d venture to say I am more private than most. I think it comes from being an only child. Growing up, I always had my own room, my own stuff and my own time. I’m so private, I won’t even let my wife in the bathroom when I’m “covering my feet,” as the Old Testament so delicately puts it.
Of course, a locked door and a request for privacy may deter my wife, but it doesn’t stop God. According to this verse, God takes notice of everywhere I go and everything I do once I get there.
I guess that has its benefits. I had a friend who once told me that when he goes to the grocery store, realizing God is there with him, he asks “Lord, what would you have me eat this week?” I’m a little afraid of that question, because I’m pretty sure God wouldn’t appreciate my caffeine addiction or my fly-like love of sugar.
But, it is an interesting thought. God is not just the God of the great, but of the small as well. He goes with me to the grocery store, and He watches as I go about my morning routine. He is aware of the OCD issue I have when it comes to setting my alarm clock at night.
God notices all of my quirks.
A lot of people would take this verse and talk about purity of thought. Most Christians would probably take this verse and remind you to be on your best behavior because the eyes of Texas are always upon you.
That’s been done. What interests me about this verse is that my quirks and inconsistencies are known by my creator. He takes time to notice that I eat each item of food on my plate completely before moving on to the next. He is aware that I misplaced my stereo remote three days ago and have been going quite mad ever since.
He knows which DVDs I’m going to dust off and watch when I’m sick. (They’re the same every time.)
He sees my quirks, and has a good chuckle because He knows that particular set of oddities belongs only to me and no one else.
Sometimes we act like we have all the answers— or at least like asking questions is wrong or a sign of weak faith. Some questions don’t have good answers and it is in those questions that often draw us closer to God.
If you’re like me, it happened one innocent Saturday while attempting to assemble a piece of furniture. Before your conscience has a chance to stop it, your tongue has already condemned a piece of wood to eternal damnation. Then, the realization hits and the guilt rushes in as you realize, “I’ve just broken one of the ten commandments. I’ve used the name of God in vain.”
Maybe not. Maybe you’re a Sunday School teacher and a nominee for sainthood. You probably don’t understand how a guy like me could be singing praise songs and hanging a picture frame one minute and then in the same breath misuse the name of the Almighty.
But I bet you’ve done it too— without knowing it. We all have. Forget boycotting Hollywood because we perceive they are the worst offenders of breaking the the third. The truth is, they aren’t. We are. Let’s go to confession.
I break the third commandment and use the Lord’s name in vain when I who am called a Christian:
Ignore the plight of the poor and tell them their condition is their fault.
Use the words Lord, Father and Jesus instead of “uh” and “um” when I can’t think of what to say in a prayer and don’t want my brothers and sisters to think I’m not spiritual enough.
Insult and offend someone in a moment of anger because I was frustrated at a situation and couldn’t control my tongue.
Have a vengeful, lustful or racist thought.
Any time I don’t love someone as Christ would.
Whenever I fail to treat someone the way Christ would treat them.
When I put my pride over another’s dignity.
Every time I take credit for something God has done.
… This list could go on, but I’ve made my point. Like so many other sins, this one isn’t about a single word or act. It is about the condition of the heart. Any time we, who are called by Christ’s name do something that is counter to Christ’s heart or mission we are guilty of using His name in vain.
Christian outrage intrigues me. I find it highly ironic and somewhat amusing when people of love become filled with anger and contempt. It almost seems unnatural for those who claim to follow an all-knowing and all-powerful God to act as though the world has suddenly spun out of control and the navigator has left the ship in the middle of a storm.
Let’s look briefly at the church’s current areas of outrage. We’re upset about abortion, gay marriage, Hollywood, books that question the authenticity of our beliefs. We’ve been known to picket porn shops, adult video stores and strip clubs and we have a very special place in our sinful hearts for politics and political action.
Most Christians will begin weeping on the issue of abortion and will start screaming about a depraved nation when the topic of homosexuality is broached. We’re viewed by outsiders as being on the fringe or way over the cuckoos nest because of our passionate dislike of these issues.
It isn’t that we’re necessarily wrong. In fact, I think the concerns of the church on these issues are legitimate, but our expressions of those concerns are often off-the-wall and do not show the world the nature of our God.
The nature of our God is that He is all knowing and He is in control of the universe. God did not rest on the seventh day and like it so much that he left everything well enough alone until the present time. He is an active and powerful being who is the ruler over all we know, all we don’t know and all we can’t fathom.
God knows people have abortions, and God controls the world in which they have them. God is well-aware that homosexuals are getting married, and He is not shocked. The fact that Hollywood glorifies things that don’t glorify God does not knock God off His throne for even one millisecond. Attempts by authors to write books that question Christ’s existence do not change the reality of His existence and do not cause God to disappear. Porn shops, adult video stores and strip clubs don’t strip God of His power or His influence on the world He created, and the outcome of American elections never have and never will unseat the God of the universe.
Yet, the followers of this all-knowing and sovereign God, act as though the world is suddenly spinning out of control. We, who hold the hope that can save the entire world, act as though all is lost and the outcome is hopeless. We who call on the name of the One who is in control, who are told in His word to “be still, and know that I am God,” are shocked, outraged and thrown into despair by what we see around us—and we don’t need to be.
God is in control. God is not shocked. God is never surprised. God has sent us into a fallen world—a world He still controls—to spread His love and His truth with all who will listen, but He has not asked us to take the wheel or change the seas. He has never told us to take the reins. He has given us a gospel and said “Love one another and spread this love throughout all the world.” He specifically said, “Do not worry,” and “fear not.” And yet, His children live in fear and worry because they think this fallen world is absolutely falling apart and they have to be the ones to stop it.
Friends, if you could stop the course this world is on, there would have been absolutely no need for God to send His son to rescue the world. If God could send One He loved that much—with the love a father has for a son— to the cross without being shocked or outraged, you can go into the world and spread love without being shocked and outraged as well.
I’m posting this because I had a day where I was confronted with underlying fear and anxiety that I wasn’t even aware of until I thought about it for a few moments. These verses were helpful to me, and I’m sharing them in the hopes they might be helpful to someone else. Now that I’m feeling better, I’m going to drink a tall glass of milk, take some Valerian root and get some much needed rest.
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”-John 14:27
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. –Isaiah 43:1 & 2
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. The flame shall not consume you. -Isaiah 41:10
No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love. –1 John 4:18
For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” –Romans 8:15
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” –Matthew 6:34
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? –Psalms 56:3 & 4
You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? -Psalm 56:8
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. –1 Peter 5:6 & 7
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. –Psalm 46:1-3
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” –Deuteronomy 31:8
You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. –Psalms 32:7
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. –Psalm 42:5
God is my savior; I will trust him and not be afraid. The LORD gives me power and strength; he is my savior. -Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” –Jeremiah 32:27
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? –Luke 12:25 & 26
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. –Philippians 4:6-8
When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O LORD, keep me perfectly safe. –Psalms 4:8
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalms 46:10
