INNER TROUBLES 2
Ps 39:1-3
“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue”
Many times we are apt to break our resolutions. Like the Psalmist, we are not able to tolerate evil men when we encounter them. David had determined to keep his mouth shut the next time this particular wicked man or men stood before him. Perhaps the man was such that made him say things he did not want to say. Possibly they used to get into hot argument whenever they got together. His failure to control his emotions was a rebuke to his heart and a snag on his journey in trying to be more like God. So, he made up his mind to seal his mouth and be mute whatever the man would say. But as the man spoke in his presence, he could not hold himself again. While the man was bragging about his prosperity and progress, something within David could not resist the temptation; “…the fire burned within him and he spoke.” He had failed again and it always was an embarrassing situation.
This is the predicament of many sincere saints; they do not know how to quench this ‘fire’ when it starts to burn inside them. Their souls are inflamed and their passions stirred uncontrollably when in the presence of certain people or when a particular subject is raised. The same pit they had fallen is where they fall again because of this inner trouble. Some have almost given up the hope of victory over this ‘weakness’ because of repeated failures.
But David received help. “I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.” Vs 9. How did he overcome this inner trouble that had made him lie in the dust confessing sins many times he had failed?
Let us note that he said, “The Lord did it.” It will not be by your determination and resolutions that you will overcome the raging fire of lust within you. It will be by the help of God. But how did the Lord accomplish that work? By several repeated disciplines vs 10-11. God disciplines us to destroy our self-confidence in the thing we love. The one who always has something to say will fear to speak because by the discipline of the Lord he now knows that his speaking will destroy rather than build.
Will you not pray therefore? “And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? My hope is in you! Rescue me from all my rebellious acts. Do not disgrace me in front of godless fools.” Vs 7-8