OMG
By Vernette Kureck
“I will bless
the Lord at all times; his praise shall be continually in my mouth”
Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
It has taken me awhile, but I have
finally joined the 21st century and actually do some texting. The
convenience of connecting instantly and concisely without making an intruding
phone call has its merits, as do the shorthand abbreviations. *vin meaning “starving,” LMK meaning “let me know” and
B3 meaning “blah, blah, blah”….you get the
picture. But the one that has really taken off is OMG or “O My God!” It is used
as an exclamatory space filler; usually, a thoughtless reply to something ...to
anything that has occurred in the friend’s life. It is frequently heard on the
radio, television and in movies also. So what is the big deal?
In the Old Testament, the third
commandment God gives to His people is “You shall not take the name of the Lord
your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name
in vain” (Deuteronomy 5:11, ESV). “To take the name” is
to utter, speak or write it as an oath. To do it “in vain” is to attach
worthless purpose to the expression. The careless OMG also projects wrong
characteristics and motivation to God. He is protective of His reputation and
prohibits His name being attached to any unfulfilled vow. Unlike the flippant
phrase we often hear today, David used OMG in the Psalms for a much more
appropriate and God-honoring intention.
·
“O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let
not my enemies exult over me” (Psalm 25:2, ESV). David affirms God’s
trustworthiness.
·
Later in Psalm 71, he
writes, “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the
grasp of the unjust and cruel man, for you oh Lord, are my hope, my trust, O
Lord from my youth” (Psalm 71:4, ESV). David’s security and
confidence is in the Lord.
·
Further on in verse 12, “Oh God be not far from me: O my
God, make haste to help me.” David knew that his help came from the Lord
and he appeals to Him under threatening circumstances.
·
Then in verse 22, “I will also praise you with the
harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with
the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.” David knew the attributes of God and in that
knowledge expresses O my God.
May our OMG's only
be ones that affirm who God is...and may they reflect His holiness, trustworthiness,
faithfulness and protection. Let us bless the Lord at all times.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What might be an appropriately loving
response when someone uses OMG in a text or conversation that will bring glory
to God and help them rethink their usage of the expression?
FURTHER READING:
Vernette and her husband Ken have
been married for over 40 years. Their two married sons have blessed them with
eight grandchildren.
