“I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth in the presence of the wicked.”” (Psalm 39:1 NIV)
Sin is always looking for another participant. Our enemy endlessly seeks to incite us, to pull is in to the vortex of trespass swirling about us. I’m no better. I’m ridiculously opinionated (thanks Mom & Dad) and it’s been an ongoing challenge to hold my tongue in this season of pandemic, politics and rampant cancel culture. Sometimes the holist thing we can do is keep silent.
A muzzle is employed to keep peace. Triggered animals unrestrained can cause terrible harm. We’re no better, our endangered flesh can get us to bare our teeth, as well. We are still learning to love God most and others as ourselves. Our souls are still being tutored in the way of the Kingdom, yet we live in a sin-ridden environment. We may need to muzzle our mouths to keep from participating in the trespass.
It seems David muzzled his mouth to keep from sinning. He sat silent until the Holy Spirit took hold of his tongue entirely.
“My heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.” (Psalm 39:3 NIV)
When David finally did speak, he spoke truth He reminded himself and his audience of the temporal nature of existence. He declared his foreigner status and confessed his dependency on God for salvation from sins.
What a wise psalm for us in this season. We hold our peace until the fire of God articulates every word in accordance with His scripture. Then if and when we speak, we recall the fleeting nature of our flesh and the sovereign strong of our good God. We lean into salvation’s promise.
Lord, we are living in upsetting times. It seems everyone has an agenda, or at the very least an opinion. Muzzle us, Lord, until we hear from You. Burn in our hearts. Scald off anything less than Your Word. When we speak, let it be truth and love instead of agendas and anger. Make us accurate and compassionate representatives of Your Kingdom in a season of chaos and fear. Amen.