I was reading Psalm 69 this morning. It is a song of David. It is a plea for rescue. You cannot read it without noticing the prophetic words about our LORD Christ Jesus and His crucifixion.
The first 28 verses are difficult to read. David is surrounded by enemies, in great distress. He recounts to God his own sin and the pain and grief he is experiencing at the hands of others. Then in verse 29, something changes. It seems that David begins to look up at God. It begins with a personal declaration … “but as for me.”
“But as for me—poor and in pain— let Your salvation protect me, God. I will praise God’s name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.” [Psalm 69:29-30 HCSB]
“But as for me,” David writes, even while I am “poor and in pain” I will choose to look to God. God’s salvation will protect me. I will choose to praise God’s name. I will choose to sing. I will choose to exalt. I will choose to offer thanksgiving.
It really does come down to that personal choice – that decision that no matter our poverty or pain, we will choose to offer God thanksgiving and praise. We will sing songs in the night that exalt our LORD and Savior.
No matter how great the darkness around us, it does not have the power to stifle our voices. It cannot stop our singing or exalting or thanking or praising our God. The only thing that can stifle our voices is our own choice to remain silent.