April 23, 2018: SOAP #3063: 1Samuel 27; Ps 141; 1Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 141:3 [David speaking] Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm (NIV) 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Matthew (NIV) 12:34 [Jesus speaking] …For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew (NIV) 15:18 [Jesus speaking] But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’.

Observation:  David must have known the trouble that could be started when his mouth spoke without giving thought to what was said.  So, he asked the LORD to set a guard and help control the words that passed through his lips.  (NOTE:  If the words of his mouth were to please the Lord, then the meditations of his heart would also need to please the Lord!)

Application:   Not every thought needs to be spoken.  When my thoughts are later proved to be wrong, how sorry I am that I blurted them out and caused hurt.  But, how thankful I am that I kept my mouth shut.  (NOTE:  When I set my heart to meditate on the things that please the Lord, I never have trouble with the words that come from my mouth!)

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need you to keep watch over what I am about to say.  IF it needs to be said, may I say it to you first!…and then follow your guidance (Matthew 18:15-17).  But most of all, I pray that my thoughts and words bring joy to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!