Devotional for April 5

Set a Guard Over My Mouth, O Lord 

1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Psalm 141:1-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Sweeter than honey and more precious than gold is the word of God (Psalm 119:103-104). To build one’s life on any word of man is to build life on a foundation of sand (Matthew 7:24-29). Woe to the man who thinks in his heart that he can determine what is best on his own (Revelation 22:14-15; Proverbs 21:2-4). For the one who settles on right and wrong apart from the word of God becomes unable to see their own faults, yet are they quick to point out the tiniest of faults in everyone else (Matthew 7:3-5). They are inclined to become murmurers, grumblers, and complainers (Jude 8-19). They are like agitated waters, constantly bringing up the muck on the bottom of the river of life. Better to build on the solid Rock of the word of God (Jude 20-21; Colossians 3:16). Troubles will still come in this world (Matthew 5:44-45). The storms of life give the believer an opportunity to practice the longsuffering needed to bring the soul to spiritual maturity (Philippians 2:12-15). Have faith in God, walk in the light of His word, and the peace of God that surpasses understand will protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:9). 

Question

Why are our words important?

Answer

Words are the expression of the soul (James 3:2-13). With them we can bless or curse, help or hurt, confirm or transgress, tell the truth or lie (Proverbs 18:21).  Just as our physical hands are used to do things in the material universe, our words are the spiritual hands that do things in both the spiritual and material realms (Romans 10:9-10; Luke 9:61-62). Lastly, our words are important because God has clearly said so (Matthew 12:33-37).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give me this bread, that he may live in me, and I in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer