Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Psalm 141:3

By

Psalm 141:3    "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."

In this particular Psalm, the writer is concerned about his thoughts, words, and actions becoming like those of the world. Isn't that a real danger still for us today? Jesus taught us that, a little leaven will affect the whole lump.  In other words, we are affected either positively or negatively by those in which we surround ourselves.  If we hang with people who drink and cuss, then more than likely we will be tempted to take a drink and say those words that are not honoring unto the Lord.  Oh, we want to think we will influence them, but it rarely works that way.

The Psalmist knew the danger was real, so he prayed fervently that he would not be affected by the people that were not diligent in their actions. "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."  He was asking the Lord to place a guard over his words. This was not the first time he had made this request. Let's look back at Psalm 19:14,  "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."  A proper guard, or watchfulness, for our words begins with our thoughts. This is why in Psalm 19, he includes the meditations of his heart.  Let my thoughts be proper so that my words may follow.

But then in our text, he goes a step farther. If I may word it in my own way, he was saying, "Lord, if my thoughts aren't correct, then please keep the door of my lips closed." Don't let me say it if my thought process has been incorrect. It is not a coincidence that there are two gates in front of our tongue. The lips and the teeth both are in front of the tongue to help us keep quiet when our thoughts are not proper.  But sometimes those gates fail to function properly and I then open my mouth and insert foot by speaking when I should have been listening. So the proper prevention comes by seeking the help of the Lord that my thoughts and my words are guarded by His grace and mercy. Paul would say it in this manner, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)  

We seek grace and mercy from our Lord; therefore, let us extend the same to others. 

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Colossians 1:25-26

By
Colossians 1:25-26    “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  Even   the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is  not  because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Matthew 6:9-13 (3)

By
Matthew 6:9-13    "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When others might go away from us, God has promised never to forsake us. When others might not be truthful, our Father in heaven is faithful and full of truth. When others cannot understand our feelings, our Heavenly Father knows exactly how we feel and is able to empathize with us. In fact, He has told us that He is "touched by the feelings of our infirmities." He is stirred when we are sad.  Our relationship with Him is of th...
Read more