Psalms 83:1-2

"Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head" Psalms 83:1-2

Sometimes I walk into a room, sit down, and want silence. Other times I walk into a room, turn on the TV or CD player, and sit down. I want background noise. It is difficult for me to predict which I will want ahead of time, it varies with the circumstances. But when the time comes, I know exactly what I need.

Asaph, the author of today's verses, is in a place just like that. The enemies of God are all around and will not be silenced; he is crying out to his God needing immediate assistance - and God seems to be silent. He cries all the louder, it seems the enemy is mocking his every word: "Your God is asleep! He has gone on vacation! Don't be a fool. Surrender! He has abandoned you and now WE are the gods you will worship!"

Can you imagine Asaph's frustration? His sense of urgency? He needs help - and he needs it NOW! "Oh God, DO NOT REMAIN QUIET; DO NOT BE SILENT... OH, AND GOD, DO NOT BE STILL!!!!" I doubt that he was meek and mild, using all the formal language of the priestly leadership (remember, this is a psalm spoken after the fact, recalling God's work in his life.) He may have even been shouting at the top of his lungs: "OH GOD, DO NOT REMAIN QUIET!" Only in the peaceful moments of reflection will the calm and formality of the formal prayer come out. Then the prayer takes on the poetic beauty of a Psalm, a hymn of praise.

It may be that your prayer life is in the shouting mode. Your life is a shambles. Your defenses have been breached. Your enemy - God's enemy - is ramming the door of your heart with a battering ram. Destruction seems eminent. Go ahead shout! Cry out! God understands ... and He will answer ... when the time is right ... when you will know of a certainty that God is the deliverer and not you through your own efforts. Shout! And trust in the Lord to deliver. He never fails, never has, never will! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.