WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S THE WAY

The (regular) reader may recall from earlier in the psalms where we were told about one’s mouth speaking out of the heart’s abundance.  That’s reflected in the 39^th Psalm as well, and I’m sorry to say to have personally failed in this arena from time to time.

One such time was fairly recently while at my customer service position.  I was in the middle of a call that necessitated my putting the customer on hold while I spoke with a supervisor about the customer’s concern.  It was simply one of those days that had become one of those weeks, which were one of those months that had gone on for more than one of those years.  Remember that the children of Israel angered Moses (by irking the Lord) so that (Moses) “spake unadvisedly with his lips.”  Yes, it was Moses’ fault for saying what he did—and what was said was prompted by the actions of others.  Not that I was leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage toward the promised land, but I was trying to help consumers with issues that I, as a fellow consumer, did not feel they needed to have to deal with.

When I discussed the matter with the supervisor, I got the empathy that both the customer and I would want—and the answer that none of us would want as well.  While there was empathy expressed, it was not within the corporate protocol to be equitable to the customer, and I was going to have to be the bearer of that “good” news.  I couldn’t take it—I said, “damn”.  This may not sound especially harsh to those of you that can easily turn the air blue, but it had a very chilling effect on my credibility as a witness for God.

“I can’t believe you said that—guys, did you hear what Les just said?”  And on and on it went.  That one word, which was much nicer than the one I’d been thinking of at the time, caused at least one other person to question my credibility as a Godly witness, and may have adversely affected the supervisor’s accepting of any counsel I might offer her in the future.  I went on to rationalize my response, but what was done was done.

So, does an occasional curse word send you to hell?  No, but it can be a warning light on your spiritual dashboard, telling you that things are amiss, and that you should ask Him to help you with whatever the underlying heart issue is.  When you take notice of the ill spoken word (s), you learn that there’s one or more problem(s) within, that need to be addressed, and doing something about that will bring the peace you desire—not the turmoil you wish to avoid.

This “word” discussion relates closely to the often asked question, “What is God’s will for my life?”  Like that issue, it is a second area examined in the 39^th Psalm.

You have undoubtedly heard the expression, “When there’s a will, there’s a way”.  You might also have heard, “Where there’s a will, there are relatives.”  That’s true on both levels for those with dual citizenship—those with both an address here, and in eternity.

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:17 that we are, “(as children) then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..”  An heir is someone that is acknowledged (usually with benefit) as the survivor of one that has passed on from this life.

Later in Romans (12:1-2), we’re told to no longer conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we might be able to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

The world would tell you, “It’s no big deal—it’s just a word.”  I think we’re better off to heed the advice offered by Moses in Psalm 90, verse 12, where he told us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom.

In other words, our lives on this planet are relatively short—certainly compared with eternity—and thus we want to make the most of it for Him while we’re here.  By ignoring the issue that cussing is, we run the risk of dampening the effect that God wants us to have on others.  If we resist this, we grieve—if we go with His flow—we rejoice.

Remember that Jesus said of Himself in John 14:6 that He is, “The Way, and the Truth, and the Life”—and where there is His will, there is His Way.”

b(Les)sings

Psalm 39

New King James Version (NKJV)

To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

 ¹ I said, “I will guard my ways,
         Lest I sin with my tongue;
         I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle,
         While the wicked are before me.”
 ² I was mute with silence,
         I held my peace even from good;
         And my sorrow 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, make me to know my end,
         And what is the measure of my days,
         That I may know how frail I am.
 ⁵ Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
         And my age is as nothing before You;
         Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.  Selah
 ⁶ Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
         Surely they busy themselves in vain;
         He heaps up riches,
         And does not know who will gather them.
      
 ⁷ “And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
         My hope is in You.
 ⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions;
         Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.
 ⁹ I was mute, I did not open my mouth,
         Because it was You who did it.
 ¹⁰ Remove Your plague from me;
         I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.
 ¹¹ When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity,
         You make his beauty melt away like a moth;
         Surely every man is vapor.  Selah
      
 ¹² “Hear my prayer, O LORD,
         And give ear to my cry;
         Do not be silent at my tears;
         For I am a stranger with You,
         A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
 ¹³ Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength,
         Before I go away and am no more.”