READ: Psalm 141
THINK: A man attended a meeting where the guest lecturer was extremely long-winded. When the listener could stand it no longer, he got up and slipped out a side door. In the corridor he met a friend who asked, “Has he finished yet?”
“Yes,” the man replied, “he’s been through for a long time, but he’s not aware of it! He simply won’t stop!”
The idea of coming to the point and saying something worthwhile is also good counsel for us as we talk with others each day. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that some of our conversation is nothing more than careless talk. The Lord Jesus warned, “For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
Pause a minute and think about what your usual conversation is like. What is the subject of most of your discussions? Do you talk too much and not give opportunity for others to speak? Is your speech profitable to others? And above all, do your words glorify the Lord?
God can enable you to speak words that build up others and don’t just fill the air. Today, make the words of David your prayer: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
If your mind goes blank, don’t forget to turn off the sound.
– Mart DeHaan in Our Daily Bread
PRAY: Ask God to help you speak words today that are surrendered to him and used to build up his Kingdom in the world and in the lives of those around you.
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