Safeguards
“Set a watch , O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
To begin a session of our Bible study class, the group leader distributed numbered slips of paper with Bible texts on them, all of which referred to speech. Most of the texts were from the book of Proverbs, where Solomon has some tartgeted advice to help people use words wisely. We took turns reading and analyzing the texts, noting their application to our personal lives and our relationships. At the end, I called attention to a verse that I liked but which wasn’t among those that had been distributed. It is our text for today.
We humans have the wonderful gift of speech. The animals have their own language, I suppose, but I doubt that any of them get into trouble because of their words the way humans are prone to do. As the text implies, we need special help with managing this gift of language.
In two potent metaphors, the psalmist David prays that God would be like an alert watchman at his mouth and like a sentry stationed before his lips. We can relate to the psalmist’s prayer because, like us, he may have been tempted at times to say things he later regretted. He knows that it takes supernatural assistance to keep the lips in line. So he appeals to God for help in guarding his mouth to prevent anything false, untrue, unkind, or unholy from slipping out. God will stand firm against the hurtful words and will give the all-clear only to the truth. We can certainly remember the times when we failed to pray for help and so there was no guard on duty. The words slipped out and did their damage, leaving us with the unhappy consequences. The psalmist prayed because he knew that, being human, in some situations he was quick to give a sharp answer or make a sarcastic remark, but with the ever-watchful guards in place, there was no chance such words would get out.
At times untruths, half-truths, impatient words, unfair criticism all struggle at the exit, eager to rush out, but with the guards at their duty posts, none of these words bent on making mischief will dare try to escape. The Holy Spirit is a dependable guard who keeps watch on our behalf. As we recognize our need, may David’s prayer be ours also.
PRAYER: Lord, help me always that the words of my mouth will be acceptable to You.
Always,
Judith
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Think about it: What does it mean to hold one’s tongue?
4 Comments
Sheryl Wright
Loved it! I need that each day.
Judith Nembhard
Hello Sheryl,
Great hearing from you. You came into my mind recently. I trust all is well with you. Thanks for your comment. JN
Nanette Schell
Your words certainly made me stop and think about what I said about a nurse in the local hospital.
I have just returned home after two weeks in hospital having had major surgery. I refered to a certain
nurse and told her cousin also a nurse she reminded me of the nurse in the movie, ” One flew over the cuckoo’s nest” The cousin told her cousin what I said. When I left the room to go home I was confronted by both
nurses who made light of what I said. We all had a good laugh and I was forgiven.
During the war there was a saying. Loose Lips sink ships. How true.
From now on I will pray God will be my guard.
Thank you dear Judith for your inspirational writings.
Nanette
Judith Nembhard
Hello Nan,
I’m so sorry to hear of your surgery, and two weeks in the hospital! I wish I had known. I hope you are recuperating well at home. Please get better soon.
Your dig at the nurse is quite amusing. It doesn’t seem as if she was offended, which is good. I think I’ll hold you to your promise of praying for our Lord’s guard in the future. Best health to you! JN