Corona Devo 912
What could be more satisfying than a beautifully grilled, perfectly marbled steak paired with fluffy mashed potatoes? Or maybe a deep bowl of pasta with homemade sauce and a big salad is a good meal that would satisfy us. Or turkey and dressing, vegetable lo mein, pizza pie or barbecue ribs---consider your favorite meal and the satisfaction we have when enjoying it and experiencing it.
There's nothing else quite as satisfying as a good meal.
Wait, yes there is.
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. ~Proverbs 18:20
Ever had someone notice a job you did well and encourage/compliment you about it? There's nothing more satisfying.
Ever received sound advice (wise words) from a trusted friend or family member that might have been hard-to-hear but that was Truth? These wise words are priceless, and harder to come by than a free meal at a 5-star restaurant. And more satisfying.
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. ~Proverbs 18:20
There is something deep, soul-filling, healthy, and satisfying about hearing wise words. Like a good meal, they fill us up, and bring satisfaction. Not the quick-fill, cheap satisfaction of a Twinkie or fast-food, but the deeper and longer-lasting satisfaction of chewing on something that has substance, gives purpose, and that will stick with you long after you have ingested it.
The Bible satisfies.
People in our lives who speak wise words satisfy.
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction (Proverbs 18:20).
Culture, media, those-not-grounded-in Christ do not speak wisdom into our lives. Like a Twinkie or fast-food...any source other than God is a quick-fill and a cheap imitation that will always leave us unfilled, unfulfilled, and unsatisfied.
Why do we settle for the popular words to bring satisfaction?
Why do we settle for the social media words to bring satisfaction?
Why do we settle for the people-pleaser words to bring satisfaction?
Why do we settle for the accomplishment words to bring satisfaction?
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. ~Proverbs 18:20
Yes, there is nothing more life-giving than wise words and the right words. And there is nothing more crippling and life-snatching than the wrong words, the critical words, the angry words, the arrogant words, and the hurt words.
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. ~Proverbs 18:21
Ever been leveled by someone else's tongue?
Ever been punched in the gut by a quip or bruised by the accusation/assumption/or opinion of someone else? The tongue can bring death (Proverbs 18:21).
If those who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21), my initial (short-sighted and me-focused) thought was, "Good, they deserve it.". Those who brag, accuse, or wax-on about themselves should reap the consequences.
But as I studied these Scriptures, an uncomfortable conviction poked me as I felt the finger of this verse shift from pointing at "them", to directly at me. I felt God's Word stab my heart, and I knew He was piercing me with these words: The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21).
Our tongue can bring death or life; those of us who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21).
Talking at others instead of too them or with them...those of us who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21).
Verbally "laying into" someone/accusing them/abusing them with our words and power... those of us who love to talk will reap the consequences (Proverbs 18:21).
Not speaking life into someone is speaking death into them, and there will be consequences. That is the Truth from God's Word: The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. ~Proverbs 18:21
How can we speak life today?
Remember how it felt when someone noticed/encouraged/complimented something we did well? It is satisfying on a level deep within us.
Well...today let's notice/encourage/compliment someone. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life... (Proverbs 18:20-21). Let's speak life into someone today!
Recall sound advice and wise words from a trusted friend or family member and the satisfying (true/authentic/spiritual) value of such truth. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life... (Proverbs 18:20-21). Let's speak life into someone today!
There is something deep, soul-filling, healthy, and satisfying about hearing wise words, and the Bible provides those words of life.
Today, we can be the ones sharing wise words and our tongue can bring life! And maybe we can do it while enjoying a perfectly grilled steak or some ribs and corn.
What could be more satisfying?
sarah
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