The Power of Life Giving Words
I’ve always been a rather quiet person. Easily intimidated by the knowledge of others, I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself rather than push them on others. An old proverb says that even a fool is thought wise when he keeps quiet. Guess I’d rather not err on the side of talking too much less I show my ignorance. But get me going on biblical truths and it’s a different matter. It’s there’s I find truth to stand on! It’s there I’m confident. The Bible talks a lot about our mouth and our words. We just studied scriptures that declare God’s Word is powerful enough to accomplish His purposes, never returning empty or void when spoken. Let’s look at some examples from the Old Testament that zero in on these life-giving words.
Read Exodus 4:10
1. What was the concern of Moses when God called him to speak to Pharaoh to lead God’s people out of Egypt?
Read Exodus 4:11-12
2. What was the Lord’s reply?
Read Read Jeremiah 1:9
3. What two things did the Lord do to Jeremiah’s mouth?
Read Jeremiah 1:12
4. What did the Lord do with His Word?
Read Joshua 1:8
5. What did the Lord command Joshua about his mouth and what promise goes along with it? How does this challenge you today?
Please post your answers in the comment section and let us hear what you get out of this study.
From Orlando FL.
Moses did not think he was a very good speaker – He thought he was a slow speaker and had a slow tongue – Moses did not realize that GOD was going to be speaking through him and GOD always does things right – we must depend on HIM to help us. The LORD told Moses – HE would be doing the speaking through his tongue and not to worry about anything – the LORD is always on time and ready to help each one of us. The LORD touched Jeremiah’s mouth and told him HE had put the words into his mouth – wasn’t that a wonderful way to do things – it is always the LORD speaking through us. The LORD put HIS words into Jeremiah’s mouth and it was just perfect for people to hear. The words of the LORD will not depart from our mouths and we will meditate on HIS words both in the day and night – the LORD will make our ways prosperous and you and I will have great success. OH – MY – how wonderful are the ways of the LORD – again I would not be anything without HIS words – my times of prayers – my reading of HIS word – all of the times I am depending on HIM in my life – such a wonderful guide and then we can show these things to other that we meet during our days – GOD IS SO GOOD TO EACH ONE OF US – Thanks – Karen – such a wonderful lesson and we can put these things to work in our lives also.
Isn’t it wonderful to realize God puts the words into our mouths as well! When we speak His Words something powerful happens. But we are encouraged to meditate on those words day and night, to make them part of our daily living, so they will be on our hearts and in our mouths when we need them. We often want success in life but don’t meet the conditions God establishes. So much is available to us through the truth of scripture. Thanks for sharing your beautiful insights once again, Odella.
I like how Moses tried to give excuses and God points out “Hey, I made you. Now Go” Like a parent sending off their child with confidence.
I like that, too, Marisol. “Who made your mouth?” That tells us that He who created us can do anything through us. If we believe and obey. I love how you compared that to a parent and child. Our confidence comes through knowing who we are in Christ.
Again, I love all these scriptures. They have challenged me in the past when I knew God was calling me to speak to a particular person or to lead a bible study of my own. Who am I to lead a study? But He challenged me and I went and women were blessed. And I was blessed! And encouraged that YES, He DOES do what He says He will do…He DOES put His words in my mouth. For me, as I’ve shared with you before Karen, a hard lesson I’ve had to learn is that I need to remain reliant upon HIM to fill my mouth at those times and not to try to come up with my own words. They fall flat every time. I’ve learned that I don’t always have to have all the answers when I’m talking to people about God. I’ve learned that having God fill my mouth does not make me a spiritual authority in my own right. But I can rest in the assurance that when I do feel Him press His Words on me at a particular time with a particular person, they’re going to be right. I don’t need to stutter around for my own words trying to give a Word that has not been given to me to give! It’s ok sometimes to just be quiet and listen…and probably actually needed. Sometimes I think people get tired of me always having a “God response” every time they tell me something personal. A quote from Oswald Chambers that I keep in my bible as a reminder to myself: “The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality. Conscious influence is prideful and unchristian. If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. ‘He who believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ And if I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.” Words to remember!
Good stuff, Tara. This will preach, girl!! I also like that quote from Oswald Chambers. Thanks for reminding all of us to stay in touch with the Lord so He can flow through us.
I love how God uses ordinary people for extra ordinary things. Even though Moses didn’t think he could be used by God, God equipped him to carry out what God had planned for him. And He does the same for us. Our words are to be “seasoned with salt” as Colossians 4:6 says “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Thank you again for preparing this study and weekly challenges to live for Him!
You’re so right, Anita. How many of us feel like Moses that we just can’t do what He calls us to do. What a lesson for us. He will our mouths as we make knowing His Word a priority.