Worthy Words

 Jeremiah 15:19-20

Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.

As I live in this world and see more and more disregard for God, my heart breaks.

In my daughter, Sara's, first grade class, she spends a lot of time teaching her students how to read. The children learn the sounds the letters make and how they form words. If you know anything about the English language, you know there are many words that don’t follow the rules. Sara teaches those words as heart words, in other words they must be learned by heart.

I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. Much of what I've read shows God's anger toward Jerusalem and Judah. The people have turned from Him and are worshipping idols and turning their backs on God. Jeremiah begs God not to destroy the people of Israel, but to give them another chance.

In chapter 15, Jeremiah asks God to spare him. He is a prophet who is trying to turn the people around and help them get back to loving and worshipping God. In his distress and longing to be rescued, God tells him if he repents, He will restore him. The next part caught my attention. When God said, "if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman."

That verse hit me over the head. God gave me an amazing means to communicate. He not only created humans, but he gave us language so we can share our ideas, thoughts, and wisdom.

Words can be beautiful, helpful, uplifting, and filled with compassion. They can also be mean, detrimental, and hurtful.

God called Jeremiah to speak words worthy of God. As a follower and believer in the One who created life, I want to choose words that encourage and praise, words that instruct and uplift, and words that draw people to God.

As I think of the little ones learning new words, I'm reminded to speak to a child in a way that encourages and instructs, not with harshness and hurt.

Speak in a way other people know you love God.

 

An Apt Reply

An apt reply is one that's spoken without hesitation.

In school we were expected to be prepared to give an answer 

when the teacher asked a question.

We had to be ready.

As a follower of Jesus, I need to be ready to speak the truth about Jesus.

By reading the Bible and praying for wisdom, 

I've prepared for the times I'm called to give a prompt response.

Joy fills the soul when we can speak the name of Jesus.

 

Baseball and Honeycombs

Proverbs 16:23-24
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
    and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Joey Votto hits a homerun. Billy Hamilton steals another base. Aroldis Chapman closes the game with a win. That's what I like to see when the Reds play ball. My family loves the great American Pastime, enjoyed by all ages. So when I heard on the news that the manager let off a string of curse words (seventy-seven in a five-and-a-half minute span) to the media, I was disappointed. He represented the team and the fans. The media reported he was under duress and angry at them. Instead of gracious words, he threw harmful darts.

© Penny Frost McGinnis

I have a magnet on the refrigerator that says, "You are your words." Once they come out of the mouth, they can't be swallowed back up. Proverbs reminds me to consider whether my words show care, thoughtfulness, positivity, a teaching spirit, and a healing concern. I've heard it's easier to draw bees with honey. That's true with the spoken word. I want to stop before I speak and consider how what I say affects who hears. Encourage, compliment and instruct with love like Jesus did. We are his words.