It's Really Windy

Daily Reading:  Job 8

How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? (Job 8:2)

Devotional Thought: Do you hear that sound?  It's the sound of a great and mighty wind.  It's coming from space - cyber space!  270 billion emails are sent every day.  80 billion app to app messages... 20 billion text messages...  The digital world is filled with words!  I grow weary of them all.  (That's an ironic thing for an author to say, isn't it?)

But that is nothing new, is it?  Job's friends wanted to set him straight, but first they wanted to shut him up: "Too many words, Job!"

The Psalmist was concerned about his words: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord" (Psalm 19:14).  We would do well to adopt that attitude, for - in the WORDS of Jesus - "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:37).

Quoting Deuteronomy 31:14, the Apostle Paul makes the point: "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:8-10).

We are at no lack for words.  The Bible tells us (Proverbs 10:19), along with wisdom and experience, that "When words are many, transgression is not lacking."  In other words, the more words that are spoken, the more opportunity for sin and deceit!  So, instead of filling our space with words, let's pray for the sound of a different wind - a rushing mighty wind - as the Holy Spirit comes and speaks his word into our hearts!

Prayer: Lord, you have taught us that taming the tongue is one of the most difficult of all tasks.  Help me - by your indwelling Spirit - to speak only words of grace and truth.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:113-120

113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.