I AM FOR PEACE

Recording a past experience, the psalmist testified that he had cried unto the Lord and had been answered, v. 1 R.V. In the strength of this, he entreats the Lord again. The prayers of the righteous are not only “heard” but “answered” also. They may not be answered in the way requested. The answer may be “yes”, or it may be “no”, and often it may be “wait” —but answered they are. He will not turn a deaf ear to the cries of the sincere.

The man of prayer will be a man of peace, and the man of peace will not be guilty of the misuse of the tongue. The psalmist was a man of peace who suffered from the lies and deceit of those among whom he sojourned. Their tongues were as sharp as arrows and as coals of fire. It was as if he lived among the savage, warlike tribes of Meshech in the north, and of Kedar to the south of the land. Meshech was a descendant of Japheth, along with Tubal and Magog, Gen. 10. 2; Kedar was the son of Ishmael, 25. 13.

The misuse of the tongue often leads to conflict between nations and, regrettably, among the Lord’s people. James, in his Epistle, goes into great detail in describing the tongue, and shows how damaging it can be when not controlled. He uses graphic illustrations to show the devastating effects its misuse can have: a forest fire ignited by a spark, and “a world of iniquity among our members”, James 3. 5, 6 R.V.

Like the psalmist, we need to pray earnestly that we may maintain a peaceable spirit when assailed by the tongues of others. We ought to pray more earnestly still that our own tongues should be kept under tight control. Our prayers will not be heard if we fail in this area of life where self-control is so vital. The link between answered prayer and the control of the tongue, along with the pursuit of peace, is seen in Psalm 34. 12-16 and 1 Peter 3. 10-12. Of course, there is a time to speak out. We are often guilty of silence when we should be speaking; cf. Psa. 39. 1-3; Eccl. 3. 7; Jer. 20. 8. Our blessed Lord, in whose mouth there was no guile, perfectly displayed this before Pilate.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”, Rom. 12. 18.