Title: Contrasts in Speech/Topic: Power of the Tongue

Today’s Reading: Judges 11; Judges 12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1

Scripture: Psalm 50:19-23
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:
23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.

Observation: Two ways of speaking are contrasted in these verses and the consequences of each kind of speech are laid out by God. First, there are those who use there tongue to speak against their brothers and for deceit. They will receive rebuke from God. Then there are those who are thankful. They praise God and express gratitude to him and the result is that they prepare the way for God to do wonderful things on their behalf.

Application: The words we speak bring life or death to us. We can use them in ways that bring God to our aid or set him against us. I need to really think before I speak. I especially need to be careful about how I talk about others when they aren't present. I want to speak in a way that makes others know that I am grateful to God for everything good in my life.

Prayer: Help me Father, to watch my tongue. Forgive me for the times, and there are far too many of them, when I have spoken foolishly or negatively. May I honor you with my words and put myself in a place where I can experience your full blessing on my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.