RIGHT WORDS spoken IN TIME are POWERFUL!
May 25
Bible Reading: Job Chapters 4-6
RIGHT WORDS spoken IN TIME are POWERFUL!
"Teach me, and I will hold my
tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forceful are right
words! But what does your arguing prove? Do you intend to rebuke my words, and the
speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?" (Job 6:24-26)
Job directs
himself to his friends as he reproaches them for not being more understanding
to his current situation. Even though Job does not make any reference to the
theological issues raised by Eliphaz, he responds more to his tone than the
content of his argument. Job had thought that he could at least count on his
friends for pity, kindness, and understanding but not condemnation. So, Job
responds to what he perceives to be a
judgmental attitude of his friends, not the actual words spoken to him.
Job pleads
with his friends to be more sensitive and understanding rather than be argumentative.
He maintains his integrity in spite of the implications from Eliphaz that he
was a secret sinner and has lived a sinful life. Job admits that his words were
rash (6:3), and he explains why: his
grief was a burden that his friends did not feel or try to help him carry.
God was shooting poisoned arrows at Job, and his friends were not applying
medicine to his painful wounds.
Let us
understand that right words spoken in
time are very powerful. We should be “slow
to speak” (James 1:19) and should control
our tongues when we speak (Psalm 39:1; James 3:1-5). We should be aware
that "a word spoken in due
season" (Prov 15:23) is very effective, so whenever we speak at any
situation, we should "speak as the
oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). “The
mouth of the righteous is a well of life" (Prov 10:11), and "love covers all sins" (Prov
10:12). Never forget that "wisdom is
found on the lips of him who has understanding" (Prov 10:13).
Hurting
people need encouragement, not argument. Let’s ask God to make our words like
healing medicine (Prov. 12:18) and refreshing water (Prov. 18:4). Let’s start
the day praying for wisdom to say the right things at the right times (Isa.
50:4). One day God will change our burdens into glory (2 Cor. 4:16–18), but
until then, we must bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) and relieve one
another’s wounds (Luke 10:25–37; Acts 16:33) through our words.
