Sweet Like Honey

Praising the Lord this morning for a sweet, chilly and quick run that I was able to enjoy today. For a warm shower and a bowl of cereal to fill my grumbling stomach. Praising Him for my home and my family who always take care of me. For my job, for my husband's job and for the Lord's constant provision. 

When I have so much how could I ever have a heart of complaint, gossip and slander? On that, I have a few verse to share, and praise the Lord for continuing to meet me right where I am.

"Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;

Who plan evil things in their hearts;

They continually gather together for war.

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;

The poison of asps is under their lips.

Selah"

Psalm 140:1-3

Our tongues are powerful weapons. I certainly have struggled with this over a long period of time and, sadly, have fallen into this description. I did a study of The Book of James a while back when the Lord made it absolutely clear that this was something in my life that was so displeasing to Him, and something He took very seriously. All the verses spoke to me, but there is one verse in James the Lord reminds me of when I desire to slander or gossip about someone. 

"With it [the tongue] we bless our God and Father,

and with it we curse men, who have been made

in the similitude of God."

James 3:9

If we love our Father, we are called to love every single person that was made in His image. We are called to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit in every circumstance and conversation that comes our way. Of course, we are human, we do fail, continually. His mercies are new every morning. He is strong, and He gives us freely the power to overcome these temptations.  

As I read on in the Psalms this morning, the Lord gave me a simple verse to pray daily, and when, "my desires for pleasure that war in my members" [James 4:1] rise up in frustration or anger towards someone and I am tempted to gossip to someone else about it. Again, I praise Him for always meeting me where I am, in my struggles and in my joy. His word is alive and gives us everything we need to live the life He desires of us. 

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,

to practice wicked works

with men who work iniquity;

and do not let me eat of their delicacies."

Psalm 141:3-4

I pray today that this is written on my heart and that the Lord would call it to remembrance every time my flesh rises up. As that last part says, "delicacies", sometimes gossip looks appetizing. When everyone around you, in school, at work, is gathering together to talk about the latest "he said, she said", and maybe you want to snack on what their serving, let me remind you of what the psalms say about His words,

"How sweet are Your words to my taste, 

sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Psalm 119:103

His words are sweet to our lips. They bring life and not death. His words are better, His ways are better. Let His name be on our lips today, of the One who brings life and life abundantly. 

I'd love to hear about how the Lord has spoken to You in your times of struggle. What promises has He given to You? What verses has He given to You to help you in your times of temptation?

Let's rejoice together in how great our God is!

May His love today cover You like waves, 

Jess