“You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.” Psalm 88:18

“I WANT MY BINKIE!” was screamed loudly across the restaurant… with TEARS! Someone in my party said, “that kid is out of control!” And they were right. But somewhere is a rule book for ‘out of control’ situations that says, “Thou shalt not interfere in other people’s problems!” So I tried to control myself while, 1. the kid screamed and 2. everybody LET him!

I was VERY uncomfortable. And it was VERY HARD to keep it to myself. I didn’t know WHY I suddenly wanted a Binkie! Haaaa just kidding. It wasn’t me. But I probably felt the same as the kid, sans Binkie! I was instantly angry that someone allowed someone to disturb my family’s night out. The kid shoulda been taught self control BEFORE going out to eat!

I saw a friend yesterday… again. He didn’t look any better than he did the last time I saw him weeks ago. Having lost his father before Christmas, he is walking through the valley of the shadow of death. I know several in that valley now. Having been there many times, I know that, like a binkie… it sucks. I tried to break the rule and interfere. But it didn’t help.

Some consider Psalm 88 to be the saddest Psalm of all. Reading it, I can see why. It’s just plain HORRIBLE. David is in the pits! So much so that he throws a tantrum right at God, blaming God for killing off those close to him. But another rule book says that, ‘just because someone says something in the Bible, doesn’t make it so!’ BUT!!!

God got David’s blame ANYWAY! And here’s the crazy thing! God didn’t correct David or retaliate! He just let him sizzle! I’d a snuffed Dave out! But not God. He knows the despair of losing His closest someone… to a violent death. That, plus His love, gave David a pass… and time… to get THROUGH the valley. So God switched writers. Look at the next Psalm.

Psalm 89:1 says, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” But it was written by a guy named Ethan. Not David. I find it interesting that the order of praising immediately follows the whining of sorrow. Which makes me wonder if keeping my mouth shut when someone is having a bad day is the right call!

God has proven His love and faithfulness to me. Even in times of suffering and struggle, this psalmist calls God’s people to bless the Lord and call upon His strength… even in the time of need. From tantrum to praise!  Do you?