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DEVOTIONAL ARTICLES.
A word fitly spoken.
pp. 15, 16
It is an axiom sanctioned alike by Scripture and popular proverb that Actions speak
louder than words. Yet while we should ever remember that such is the case, we must
not miss the scriptural importance of the spoken word. "Every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matt. 12: 36). The context
shows the idle word to be unfruitful.
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12: 34).
"If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body" (James 3: 2).
James continues with the figure of the small bit in the horse's mouth, and the small
rudder of the great ship. It was sufficient for God to confound the words of men at Babel
in order to stop their work. No work is accomplished without words spoken, written or
described. The builder must have plans and specifications; the soldier must have orders;
the merchant must give instructions and keep accounts. Let us therefore remember the
power of a word.
In the physical world many are dumb simply because they are deaf (see Mark 7: 35).
In the spiritual world also the same is true. Would we have the "tongue of the learner"?
then Isa. 50: 4 shews us that such is ours only as we have the "ear to hear as the learned".
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy
sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psa. 19: 14).
The Lord's Leading.
pp. 47, 48
While it is the constant exercise and prayer of the Child of God that he may be
continually led of the Lord, this is often a very difficult and humbling experience, and
many souls are baffled and perplexed by the strangeness of the way. A few thoughts on
this important theme may not come amiss.
The Lord guides by the application of His own Word. One can be positive in saying
that no one is ever "led" to disobey or contravene the teaching of Scripture. Instead of
praying for guidance on many subjects, we should read the answer already given in the
Word. For example, the Lord has linked together these two things:--
1. In all thy ways acknowledge Him.
2. And He shall direct thy paths.