In my last post, I shared about the need to be watchful in how we use our words towards others. Words uttered in carelessness serve only to hurt and divide.

But I have noticed something else about myself. Negligence in my speech towards other people eventually flows down to my communication with The Lord. When I pray, I am less inclined to praise and adore Him and more prone to doubt and complaint. I don’t know about you but when I have a complaining heart, my words multiply.

“Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Even before The Lord, we must be slow to speak. Pause and consider who you are and who He is. Our sinful heart would keep us from approaching Him if not for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. This ready access which we have been graciously given ought not to be taken for granted. Precious blood marks the path through the Holy Place, past the torn veil, and into the Holy of Holies before God Himself. What will you say to Him?

Look at Isaiah’s response when he received a vision of The Lord sitting on His throne.

“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5)

I’m afraid that I sometimes take too lightly my sinfulness and think even less of His holiness. I have certainly regretted many words spoken out of anger or bitterness to my husband and children. But, my heart is grieved even more at the words of doubt and unbelief that I have spoken to God Himself. The only thing that keeps me from being paralyzed by my past sins is His amazing gift of forgiveness.

May we learn to sit in silence before rushing into prayer. May we relish the quiet meditations of our hearts before beginning to speak. May we be still with reflections of His character before uttering one word.

Then, we can proclaim, “O Lord, how great Thou art!”

(Photo credit: heath_bar)

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