Growing up, the thing I got in trouble for more than anything else, was my tone. If you don’t know the teenage tone, all you have to do is spend one day in your local Jr. High School and I’m sure you will hear it. I had no idea what my mom meant by my tone until I started working with Jr. High students out of college…then I heard it. (Sorry mom…I now understand.)
When I read Psalms…sometimes I hear the tone in my head.
“To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.”
Psalms 28:1
Why does God allow us to speak to Him so casually as David does in so many of the Psalms? Why does He allow us to assume an intent of dismissiveness on His part? Why does God include such speech in His word?
God knows so much more than we do. And yet…we so often think we know exactly what is going on. It reminds me of the three year old having a tantrum and crying over a perceived hurt. The parent comforts and stays with the child and in that moment the child learns that the parent is safe.
How have you learned that God is safe? Or even more important…good?
I learn and feel Gods goodness through His comfort of my pain. I learn of Gods safety through the love He pours over my broken heart. I learn Of His power when He comforts me and yes, corrects me in my sin. I learn about God when He meets me in my tone.
David doesn’t stay in the place of condemning God, demanding from God or questioning God. That may be where he starts but that is not where God leaves Him.
“Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.”
Psalms 28:6 NIV
God allows for our tone because He desires to teach us about Himself. When we learn more about God, we trust Him more and we love Him and others more.
Dear God, thank you for your patience with my tone. Thank you for meeting me in my place of hurt and pain. Thank you for seeing past the tone and not withholding yourself but bringing love and mercy. May we continue to grow in our knowledge of you and may that knowledge grow our trust of you and love for you and others. Amen.
Mandy
Sixty-six books in a year 