Psalm 52 - Rant!

Psalm 52:1-4, 8 NIV

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? 

Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? 

You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; 

it is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, 

falsehood rather than speaking the truth. 

You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue! 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 

I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

King David is an example to us on how to handle indignation and hostility toward those who abuse. David was on the run from King Saul who wanted him dead. David was betrayed by someone he had trusted, someone who gave to Saul his whereabouts. So David wrote a rant.

That's a lot of people ranting these days on social networks. The negativity is so prevalent folks are taking breaks from social media. It seems childish and adolescent to air your complaint for the everyone to see. What do we hope to accomplish? Are we searching for attention? Do we hope appealing to the public will bring us justice? Or is the rant on social network a veiled expression of a heart seeking God to act on their behalf?

David models for us the healthy response to our opponents. He trusts in God for justice. David knows God will act to stop his enemies. He knows he is under God's protection. David believes he will see the downfall of his enemy. He vents his anger with God. Because David was a musician he turned his cry for justice into song.

The next time you feel the need to rant, don't burden an unsuspecting public with a childish temper tantrum. Go to the One who can and will ultimately do something about it. Write God a letter, or a poem if you like. Trust in God's unfailing love. Then you will be firmly rooted in faith and not tossed about by your emotions.