Day 2: Grace Crystals
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).
Sovereign Lord, You created us with the marvelous, mysterious power to think, to process, to reason, and to communicate (Exodus 4:11). You alone understand all the connections of our mind, body, and emotions, but wisdom from Your word—as well as the wisdom You have revealed in science and study—give us glimpses of Your intricate design.
Your word instructs us, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). And You further teach us, The tongue has the power of life and death... (Proverbs 18:21). You call us to attend first to the heart, because our speech is a reflection of our heart. The Lord Jesus taught us that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45).
Love must be sincere, the apostle Paul instructs us. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). For it is only from a heart of sincere love that we can speak words seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)—glistening tangy crystals of grace that bring answers, encouragement, healing, and hope.
The wisdom of Your word describes much of what we see in the world today—mere charming speech and malice concealed by deception: Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit (Proverbs 26:23-26).
Lead us away from insincerity and hypocrisy—from any hint of malice, deception, lying tongues and flattering mouths (Proverbs 26: 26, 28). You have called us to a different standard and You Yourself instruct us and teach us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8).
You promised Moses, "I will help you speak, and teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12). Understanding this, the apostle Paul asked for prayer from the Ephesian church: "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me..." (Ephesians 6:19).
Guide our conversations, Lord, so we may show Your love—so we may be effective witnesses of Your grace. Teach us the word that refreshes, and uplifts, and sustains as described by the prophet:
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed (Isaiah 50:4).
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