
If there is one thing that I get frustrated with myself over it is about some of my thoughts, and consequently my words. I fall short far too often of where I want to be, allowing my thinking to wander into places I’d rather it didn’t. Thoughts of fear, worry, what if’s, impatience and annoyance. If I think too long this way, these thoughts get into my heart and try to become part of me, which I don’t want or like. I know that God wants better for me, and expects better from me.
There is a prayer in Psalm 19:14 which always hits home when I read it. It says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
What would the words coming out of our mouths sound like if they were acceptable to God? I can guarantee they would not be words of gossip, worry, fear, sarcasm, envy, bitterness, negativity, complaining or criticism.
I really want to please God both in my private words and thoughts, and also in every other area of my life. I want to please Him in the way I talk to my children, my husband, my friends, family, church, and those I meet throughout the day.
One course of action to enable us to have words that please God is to be quiet more often, and to limit the words coming out of our mouth. When we start to put a watch over the words we speak it is amazing how we suddenly become more aware of how much nonsense we can speak without giving much thought; or how often we participate in conversations which are neither pleasing to God or beneficial to our listeners.
Consider today how different your life would be if in day-to-day situations you began to think and pray Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight of Lord.” What difference it might make in conversations with your children, your partner, family members, and work colleagues? If before you participated in a meeting at work, while out on the sporting field, or when out for a night with friends you prayed this prayer? How would your language and actions be transformed if when writing a letter/email/text message, or negotiating a new business deal or contract you determined in your heart and mind that your words, and the meditations of your heart were to be pleasing to God?
How would your life be changed?
One of the first things we can do right now to make Psalm 19:14 a reality in our lives is to close our mouths more often. In conversations with other people we can simply listen more, and talk less. We can ask God to remind us to close our mouths when we are about to say something unnecessary and not pleasing to Him.
“Closing our mouths will have these immediate effects:
We won’t sin with our words.
We’ll listen more.
We’ll seek to understand, not always seek to be understood.
People will think we are wise.” (Tim Cameron – The Word fast)
In our own strength this is difficult, but with God all things are possible. When we are willing and have soft hearts towards Him, God will do such a deep work in our hearts that the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts will be transformed to become acceptable to Him. (Romans 12:2)
He promises us that He is faithful to complete the good work that He has started in us, and will perfect that which concerns us. We are His masterpiece and even if we stumble He won’t give up on us. So let’s not give up on ourselves, and all that God says we are, and seek to make the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart pleasing to Him today.
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
“Watch the way you talk, Let nothing foul or dirty come out of you mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, and profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgiving one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4: 29-32 Message Bible)
Prayer: Lord thank you for your grace and love for me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. In Jesus name Amen.
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