Psalm 139:3-4 - You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
The apostle Paul warns of the temptation to turn back to worldly ways, since now we "have come to know God, or rather to be known by God" (Galatians 4:9b). What does it mean to be known by God? In Psalm 139, the psalmist describes that divine knowledge in great detail. God knows when we sit down and when we get up. He knows our thoughts and He knows what we are going to say before we say it.
Sometimes our words are gracious and kind. We want God to know all about those words! Other words we speak are not so kind. We make hurtful remarks, share gossip, or tell lies. We would prefer to keep those words hidden from God, but of course, He already knew those harmful words before we said—or whispered—them. Such harmful words do not come from God: "The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell ... no human being can tame the tongue" (James 3:6, 8a).
Knowing our sin and our fiery tongues, God spoke a Word of His own. His gracious Word of promise was first spoken in Eden. The Savior, the woman's Offspring, would come to crush the tempting serpent, whose deceitful words brought sin and death into the world, whose deceit continues to set our tongues on fire. Jesus, the Word made flesh, came in fulfillment of God's promise. Jesus used words to warn against sin and unbelief. He spoke words of healing and compassion. He called upon people to listen to His words, to believe and be saved: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life" (John 5:24a). On the cross, Jesus took our sins onto Himself, including the guilt and shame of every harmful word we have spoken. From the cross He spoke words of triumph: "It is finished!" (John 19:30b).
Our crucified and risen Savior gives our words new purpose. We are to live and speak as His witnesses, to carry the Good News of salvation into the world. We support our witness with helpful words and acts of kindness. Finally, we will hear Jesus' words of welcome when we enter His eternal presence, and He has revealed the words we will cry out in praise before His throne: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen" (Revelation 7:12).
WE PRAY: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you think God is acquainted with us even more than a good friend or family member might be?
2. How is it that our tongues are so powerful—both for good and bad? How can we build people up with our words?
3. Do acts of love and kindness increase our credibility with others when sharing Jesus?
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 32 Psalms 51 John 3:16-36
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