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Psalm 120
A song of ascents.

I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

Technology is a tremendous tool. I can use text messages to set up a meeting, share a passage of Scripture, or tell my children how proud I am of them. Facebook can be used for ministry and communicating with friends. The same can be said about Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. These are great tools…and potential weapons. Words and pictures can be used to tear down a person and their reputation.

However, slander existed long before cyberspace. The desire to tear another person down started with Cain and Abel, and still exists today. As Old Testament believers made the climb to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts, they prayed, “Save me, Lord from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.”

Today’s prayer is very instructive. We need to pray daily for God’s protection from those who desire to destroy us by lies and deceit. We should also pray that God will protect us from sinful actions and foolish decisions that provide ammunition (like inappropriate social media postings). Jesus Christ is the message and we are the messengers. Let’s pray that God will protect His messengers so that the Message is never confused.

Father, we live in a day of great advantages and great dangers. Give us discernment. May our words and actions always be pure and above reproach. Help us to be messengers that are untainted so the message of Your Son is never confusing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.