The Critic's Choice

I'm pondering whether or not most people receive as much commentary on their jobs as I do. I often wonder if others receive as many approvals, comments, suggestions and rebukes. I am finding that I like the approvals, I occasionally enjoy the comments, I tolerate the suggestions, and I'm really not so thrilled with the rebukes. Is that normal?

What did Jesus do with His critics? Did He ignore them? Did He debate with them?

Knowing Him... He probably just loved them, or something ridiculous like that.

I was reading the Bible today and read this, "From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease" (Psalm 8:2 - NASB).

What caught my attention was that phrase, "You have established strength". It's from the Hebrew language, of course (most of the Old Testament stuff is). However, in the Greek language that phrase is translated, "to give praise". The Message translation of the Bible says it this way, "Nursing infants gurgle choruses about You, toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk and silence atheist babble". I dig that.

The reason I know how this phrase is translated in Greek is not because I'm some kind of a Biblical language expert, it's because the New Testament was originally written in Greek and this verse is quoted by Jesus in the New Testament. He actually quotes it in Matthew 21 when some kids were praising God for the miracles Jesus was performing. Of course, as they were doing this, the religious folks were criticizing Him. And right there is when it happens - THAT is when He quotes this verse... sort of. I say 'sort of' because truthfully, He only quotes the beginning of the verse - the part that says, "Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself" (Matthew 21:16). He left out the part about it "drowning out enemy talk and silencing atheist babble". Why?

Maybe because it went without saying - Maybe the children praising God was in itself the thing that was going to shut these critics up?

I so want to defend my opinions, my points of view, my beliefs, my doctrines,... my actions. I don't know why I allow anyone with an email address and a differing opinion to get under my collar. I'm thinking that maybe one of the best ways to shut the mouth of the critic is to just stick with praising God, like a child, with child-like trust. If I can just die to my rite to always be right and instead focus on Jesus (the Author and Perfecter of this whole faith thing according to Hebrews 12:2) I'm thinking the enemy talk and the atheist babble will cease. At least it'll cease to affect me like it too often does.

"So Father God, help me sing Your praises at all times. Regardless of how I feel or what I'm hearing from others, You are, always have been, and always will be... AWESOME. What I know, or believe... what I've got figured out correctly or what I've completely jacked up... all of it is not what matters. You are what matters most. Your amazing grace and unconditional love has captured my heart and blown me away. Build my faith, strengthen me in my inner man - that I might praise you with way more than my words, but with my life. I love you 5. Amen."