Today’s scripture: Proverbs 26:19-28 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
What words are like “delicious morsels” to you? Take a moment and just think about that. Go ahead, take a few minutes to think about what words have been delicious for you, and reflect on them. I will be here when you are done. You can just think of them, or write them on a piece of paper.
- Words that have been delicious morsels to me are:
- Words that have been delicious morsels to me meant:
- Words that have been delicious morsels to me came from:
Let’s continue. Verse 22 of today’s reading tells us that “the words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” My initial read of that reminds me of the whispers or words said when we don’t want other people to hear them, but then we really do.
- Did you hear about…
- Did you know that…
Are those the kinds of words that are really “delicious”? If you were to ask someone who wrote gossip columns as a profession, she might think the best news, most worthy of her column came from the kind of whispers I just described. But if these kinds of whispers go down into the inner parts of the body, the gossipy, slanderous, back-biting kind of words, what does that make our inner parts look like? What clutters our mind?
Now go back to the words you chose at the beginning that you thought were delicious morsels for you. Was it a verse from the Bible? Was it something your grandma told you about living a wise life? What about advice from Dad or Mom or a good friend?
I will tell you mine. It comes from Philippians 4:8-9. I will write my own paraphrase:
Spend your time thinking and dwelling on good and right things; things that are just, pleasing and commendable. Things worthy of God. Think about these things, and keep on doing that, and the God of peace will be with you.
If you have not come up with words that are the kind of delicious morsels that are food for your mind and body, I challenge you to do so today. Spend time with those words. Make those words your whisper; your prayer. Use Philippians 4:8-9 if you can’t come up with another right now. Allow the words you value to sink into the inner parts of your body.
Thought for the Day: Words sink into me, into my inner most being. What words are my delicious morsels that give my body life and energy? What is it that I will whisper today?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.