“Speak only if it improves on silence.” This quote is attributable to my favorite, nineteenth & twentieth century philosopher/lawyer/ethicist/social activist, Mahatma Gandhi. You may rightfully say, Paul, you have not learned that admonishment very well... and, my wife would likely agree with you. Being reminded of that quote while initiating this devotional served to momentarily disable my effort. What business do I have for being presumptuous enough to believe I may have something to say of significance? Clearly, no more than any one of you reading this, at this very moment.
Stopping to take measure of my motivation for writing, I was humbly compelled to ask for God’s guiding wisdom to make this effort preferable to silence. Upon considerable reflection, it summoned up a whole lot of what the Bible has to say regarding words. Please allow me to share with you just a few of God’s efficacious words from Proverbs, my overwhelmingly favorite book of the Old Testament.
Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” 16:24 “Kind words are like honey sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” 18:4 “A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing a bubbling brook.” If only these words from the author of Proverbs could guided all rhetoric on our planet... we would experience the Heaven on earth God promises for the New Kingdom.
Words matter! They turn away anger, fury, rage, “wrath,” all which fuel our World’s disharmony.
Prayer for this day and everyday
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord....” Psa. 19:14
God’s peace,
Paul H
