Psalm 39:1-13

¹ I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."
² But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.
³ My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ "Show me, O LORD , my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
⁵ You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah
⁶ Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

⁷ "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
⁸ Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
⁹ I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
¹⁰ Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
¹¹ You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth-
each man is but a breath.
Selah

¹² "Hear my prayer, O LORD ,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."


David thought that it would be better for him to keep quiet; not to say good or bad when the wicked are in his presence, but he found out that it burned him from within when he was silent. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light of the world, we are called to make a difference. It's in our nature (Christians) to make things right, and to do right things. This is what we are commissioned to do.

I am not making a difference if I keep everything to myself, pretending that it's more peaceful. In fact, I am an influence, an influence in my church, cell group, workplace, uni. I should stand up and stand for what is right, and turn down what is wrong.