Devotional for Monday, April 23, 2018
“The Word Fitly Spoken”
by Dona Hake
Our words are like pieces to a grand puzzle. Many times we may feel that the words we are desiring to express will fit so well in our response yet when we speak them they turn out all wrong. You may walk away from a conversation feeling uneasy in your heart wondering if your words were received or misunderstood.
I can remember years ago buying my Granddaughter a kitten jigsaw puzzle, and she could not wait to try to put it together. Some of the pieces were a bit challenging for they looked so similar visually yet the shape did not fit. At one point she thought one piece just had to fit, and she began to force and try to squeeze certain pieces in. Interesting analogy isn’t it?….we can feel our words are fitting and right, and we begin to force them on someone or squeeze them in the conversation. We can even convince ourselves that because what we have to say is true that it just has to be spoken at that time. Sometimes words may seem to be of good intent yet they are not to be spoken. Oh that we would heed to the Holy Spirit before we open our mouths. God desires that our words bless, encourage, and produce, and very importantly, He desires that our words be fitting and proper.
(All translations of Proverbs 25:11)
“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting.” ERV
“An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.”GNT
“Timely advice is as lovely as gold apples in a silver basket.” TLB
“A well-spoken word at just the right moment
is like golden apples in settings of silver.” VOICE
Today let us be reminded that God’s timing has it’s perfect place when it comes to words. Sometimes silence may be God’s plan in some situations, so do not feel you are doing wrong when you are feeling prompted to just be silent even in those times you feel you have the answer. The Lord has a reason in all that He leads us to do or not do. Let us live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all our words and deeds. May our words bless and be as apples of gold in settings of silver!