Daily Thought

We have another cluster of proverbs here that develops for us the theme of words and ways. There is no getting away from it that these two are firmly linked together and it is a striking thought that even before God would say of His Son, ‘Hear ye him’, He said, ‘in whom I am well pleased’, Matt. 17. 5. Ways come before words. Whatever we say must draw its authority from what we are doing day by day.

We can all find things to complain about. There is no end to matters that upset us or cause us anger and to become despondent. How sad it must be if we allow our words to be constantly taken up with these things when there is so much of a positive and encouraging nature to be talking about as well.

In these verses the Lord will challenge us to change our topics of conversation so that we can reverse our own melancholy and raise the spirits of others.

Try the apt or touchingly sensitive answer and the word spoken at the right moment as you respond to either saints or sinners today, v. 23. It will be a source of inner joy to you and a welcome comfort to those who hear it. A home or an assembly that has those within it who give themselves to provide ‘a good report’, 1 Tim. 3. 7, rather than a negative one will provide those around with a spirit of we ll-being, v. 30.

The earnest soul will already be asking, ‘Yes, but how do I do it?’. The answers are provided. It is the words of the pure that are pleasant words, v.26; a clean heart and mind, emanating from a soul that lives in the sanctuary. Also, you will need to learn that cheap and quickly spoken words are rarely valuable. So, therefore, cultivate the heart that ‘studieth’ - this is to measure and weigh words, before offering them for public consumption, v. 28.

There is the need to be a good listener before you can have this ministry of healthful words. Listening takes in those things that lead to life and understanding, vv. 31, 32. To have learnt to fear the Lord and to get down before you get up, v. 33, are the keys to this high service. Make it a matter of prayer today. Remember He’s listening out for you, v. 29.