How to cope with whispers, the most insidious kind of opposition
By Dean Collins
Yesterday we discussed the reality of opposition. When we choose to follow God’s path the enemy will incite opposition. Today the psalmist reminds us that opposition sometimes comes from whispers rather than full-on confrontations.
Both secrets and gossip often are whispered. Usually, we whisper so only those closest to us can hear us. And often, whispering is used to share information you don’t want others to hear or know you’ve shared. There is even research suggesting people gain some pleasure from hearing a whisper. Whispering in some cases may be playful, but other times whispering can lead to great danger.
Why some whisper
In Psalm 31:13 the psalmist indicates he is aware that some are even whispering death threats: “For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.”
We have all read of situations where some have whispered trade secrets, insider information, or private information for the purpose of gaining financial advantage. And sometimes someone whispers private information to bring down someone or some business so they can elevate their own interests. Opposition can certainly come from whispering. Whispering often implies that the whisperer has inside information or a secret they shouldn’t share. But they tell about it either to create a sense of superiority, gain someone’s trust, or attempt to exploit someone’s weaknesses.
What the psalmist did
Note what the psalmist does when being whispered about and when he felt opposition and danger.
1. He took refuge in the Lord God (v. 1).
2. He placed his situation in God’s hands (v. 5). Jesus spoke this verse among his last words from the cross.
3. He was honest with the Lord about his distress over his adversaries, including how much sorrow and grief he experienced (vv. 6-12).
4. He expressed confidence not only that God would rescue him but also that the timing of the rescue was in God’s hands as well (v. 15).
Sometimes we are not aware when the enemy has stirred up gossip or whispered threats. And at other times that information is revealed to us directly. In either case, our safety, our defense, and our rescue is in God’s hands. Like the psalmist of old, our best defense and our best offense is to place the situation in God’s hands and trust him to provide for us.
How we can respond
Is there a situation God is prompting you to place in his hands today? Are there whispers you know about that create worry and anxiety? It might feel risky to let go of them, but placing these situations in God’s hands and trusting his timing will provide new peace and freedom. The psalmist said God wondrously showed him his steadfast love (v. 21). God will do that for us as well when we place our situations in his hands.
Lord, today we choose to surrender any and all threats we feel or know. We place our fears and anxieties in your capable and strong hands. We also place the timing of the deliverance we’re seeking. As the psalmist instructs us, we will be strong, take courage, and wait for you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 31:1-22 ESV
Photos by Andrea Piacquadio at pexels.com
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