Steven A. Bush - November 29, 2020
Giving Words
An old adage says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." Most of us know from experience how untrue that phrase is. Proverbs 25:15 counters: "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone." (NIV) Proverbs 18:21 counters even stronger: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]." (AMPC) But Proverbs 25:11 is about words that lift up and encourage, words that minister, convict, console, and restore: "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (NIV) In other words, what we say can be immensely valuable, encouraging, and even life-changing. The Scriptures are the mines where godly prospectors go for words of great treasure. In Psalm 19:14 the psalmist prays to God: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer." (NIV) May that be so and then some! 'Oh God give us such words as these, especially as we give voice to the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus Christ our Lord!'