The Daily Guide
Watch what you speak!
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
James 1:19 - NKJV
David often had to be saved by the Lord from the messes of his own making. In the psalms we hear his thanksgiving for God's forgiveness and mercy in those times. Life, though, would have been whole lot simpler for him if he'd not talked, walked and looked his way into so much trouble.
On one occasion, for example, King David declared, "The one who climbs up the water shaft (into Jerusalem) and defeats the Jebusites shall be chief and captain". Well, that sounds reasonable. However, the one who achieved it turned out to be Joab. Now, Joab was the same guy David had spoken a curse over not long before that for murdering Abner. So you see, David had talked himself into a situation of having a man as chief and captain whom he himself had previously cursed. 2Sam.3:29 and 5:6-10, 1Chr.11:4-7.
Rashness of speech leads to trouble. David must have realised this in the end. In Psalm he prayed, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." What a good prayer for us all to pray! James tells us that no man can tame his tongue but on the other hand we know God can. Let's give the Holy Spirit permission to keep us back from rash speech. Let's ask God by His Spirit to hold us back from saying things we'll regret later. What though if it's already been said? In that case, resort like David to God's forgiveness and mercy. Ask God to forgive, and rescue you from the messes you've made. Psa.141:3, Ja.3:5-8, 1Joh.1:7.
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Copyright © 2005 P.F. (Simon) Measures
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