I've got a
cute little scenario to share with you that carries quite a heavy message
with it...
A woodpecker tapped his beak against the stem of a tree just after lightning
struck the tree and weakened it. As it came crashing to the ground he
flew away and said, "I didn't know there was so much power in my beak!"
When I read the above paragraph, it immediately brought to mind this question:
Are we saying only those things which help others who are in a weakened
condition? Or do we ramble on and on without realizing that we are contributing
to the destruction of others? Whether we are the receivers or the initiators
of a mouth that is out of control, we can all relate to the pain, loss,
and confusion that can result at times, amen? How can we be sure that
we are saying appropriate things to those who are hurting? Do you hold
such a reputation as one who wisely uses her words?
Proverbs 25:11, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver."
Isaiah 50:4, "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that
I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth
morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."
Words of wisdom spoken at the proper time are objects of great beauty
- beautiful enough for framing, the Bible says! Consider the potency of
the phrases you utter.... Would you be able to take your words and put
them in a frame to decorate with?? Would others want to take the words
that you have spoken to them and frame them to keep forever as a reminder
of your timely, verbal input in their life? Wisdom knows the vast difference
between the right word and the almost right word, amen?
Words are not just letters strung together.... They are powerful stimulators
of emotion! Cold words freeze people, hot words scorch them, soothing
words console people etc. Ladies, our words should be spoken with the
pure intent of pleasing God and the practical ability of meeting the needs
of people! Who else but our loving heavenly Father could both educate
and equip us in such matters? The "tongue of the learned" implies that
the Lord Himself will teach us how to "speak a word in season" to the
weary, but it's up to us to apply the education we receive! We are certainly
surrounded by many weary people in this world we could practice on...
What a mission field lies before our tongues, amen?
Many times in the New Testament the scribes and Pharisees were astonished
at Jesus speaking abilities - but for the right reasons! And the same
will take place in our lives as moment by moment we listen to the guiding
voice of our Shepherd. We would not need to take a broom and dustpan around
with us to clean up after the messes we make with our words if we would
but let the Lord do the leading! The Bible says that "he wakeneth mine
ear to hear as the learned". In other words, God creates within us a listening
ear! As a matter of fact, every time you spend time in His Word the Lord
is waking your ear... Jesus was a wonderful example of a listener - both
to His Father in heaven and to the multitudes. How about you? Do you use
your ears for the glory of God, dear lady? Do you use them to hear what
those hurting people are really saying so that you know how to wisely
answer them? Do you listen to the leadership of the Holy Spirit when it
comes time to respond? Jesus oftentimes did not answer others right away,
and we would do well to follow His example!
Proverbs 17:27 says, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words..."
Instead of blurting out our opinions, sarcastic comments or thoughtless
humorous remarks, let's be careful to speak with the tongue of the learned.
Take your time to listen, both to the weary AND to the Holy Spirit, so
you that you can appropriately speak a word in season - at just the right
time and in just the right way! Jesus was to declare the truths which
comfort the broken, contrite heart, those weary of sin and harassed with
afflictions. And as the Holy Spirit was upon Him, that He might speak
as never man spake before! So the same Divine influence daily wakened
Him to pray, to preach the gospel, and to receive and deliver the whole
will of the Father.
Ladies, that same Holy Spirit influence lives within us to accomplish
the same ministry in our lives today! If we do not spend consistent time
in the Word of God, then how can we possibly learn enough to comfort the
weary, for what truly comforts our soul but the Bible?! How can we learn
enough of the truth to deliver it to the weary, to keep them from believing
a lie all their lives, if we will not bathe ourselves in it first?!
2 Timothy 2:13 says, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
If you are holding tightly onto the many sound words found in the Bible,
you will speak sound words, amen? Titus 2:8 says, "Sound speech, that
cannot be condemned..." Have you ever been mad at yourself while reflecting
on a past conversation you've had and condemned yourself for what you
may have or may not have said? Sound speech knows no condemnation - either
from you, or from others that heard your words!
Proverbs 16:24, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul,
and health to the bones."
In closing, though you are not a woodpecker, you should still be aware
of the power in your beak! Don't be guilty of tapping against the stem
of someone's weakened tree and causing further destruction... Use the
power of your words to bring health to their soul and keep them standing
straight and tall, amen?
God Bless, Pam Isaiah 60:1&2 Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello Back to Top
