October 19 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary" (Isa. 50:4).

Devotional

Our Lord Jesus gives his people the tongue of those who are taught so that they may sometimes speak a word in season to his weary ones.

Do you not have a word for Christ? May you not go to that tried believer in sickness, in poverty, in adversity, or in prison and tell of the balm that has often healed your spirit and of the cordial that has often cheered your heart? "A word in season, how good it is!" (Prov. 15:23). A text quoted, a sentiment repeated, an observation made, a hint dropped, a kind caution suggested, a gentle rebuke given, a tender admonition left—oh! the blessing that has flowed from it! It was a word spoken in season!

Do not say with Moses, "I am slow of speech and of tongue" (Ex. 4:10), or with Jeremiah, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth" (Jer. 1:6). Hear the answer of the Lord: "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak" (Ex. 4:11–12).

And oh! How frequently and effectively the Lord speaks to his weary ones, even through the weary. All, perhaps, was conflict within and darkness without; but one word falling from the lips of a child of God has been the voice of God to the soul. And what an honor it is to thus be the channel conveying consolation from the loving heart of the Father to the disconsolate heart of the child; to go and smooth a ruffled pillow, lift the pressure from off a burdened spirit, and light up the gloomy chamber of sorrow, of sickness, and of death, as with the first dawnings of the coming glory!

O Christian reader, go and ask the Lord to so clothe your tongue with holy, heavenly eloquence that you too may know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Ah! It is impossible to speak of the preciousness of Christ to another and not, while you speak, feel him precious to our own souls. It is impossible to lead another to the cross and not find yourself overshadowed by its glory. It is impossible to establish another in the being, character, and truth of God, and not feel your own mind fortified and confirmed. It is impossible to quote the promises and unfold the comfort of the gospel to another and not be aware of a tranquillizing and soothing influence stealing softly over your own heart. It is impossible to break the alabaster box, and not fill the house with the odor of the ointment.

In contending for the faith, remember that the Lord Jesus can give you the tongue of those who are taught. Listen to his promises—"I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict" (Luke 21:15). Thus the most unlearned and the most weak may be so deeply taught, and be so skillfully armed in Christ's school, as to be able valiantly to defend and successfully to preach the truth, putting to "silence the ignorance of foolish people" (1 Pet. 2:15).

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

(Frances R. Havergal, 1874)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2011.