God's Gift-Our Mouths and His Wisdom

I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (Luke 21:15)

Lk. 21:5-15; II Tim. 3:1-15; Ex. 4:10-12; Ps. 37:30; Rom. 15:6; I Cor. 1:4-5

What Is God Saying?

The last week of Jesus' earthly life opened with His triumphal entry into the Holy City on a donkey, a symbol of peace, and ended with anything but peace in His betrayal and crucifixion. With all this impending conflict, He had time to notice the sacrifice of a widow who gave all she had while others were taking big credit for giving a little of what they didn't need. This is what got our Lord's attention as He and His disciples walked through the Temple. The disciples, however, were caught up admiring the beautiful stonework of the Temple.

Instead of concurring, Jesus said, in effect, ‘Take a good look, for the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down’ (Lk. 21:6). This was fulfilled when the Romans sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD. The disciples asked the inevitable question, when? Jesus replied by telling them what would happen when the ‘time of the Gentiles would be fulfilled’ (Lk. 21:24). His disciples would be called on to bear testimony to their faith. It would not be easy, but not to worry, ‘I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.’

How Does This Apply To Us?

We, too, are called on to bear testimony. Times may be easy and our lives comfortable, but still we must be prepared. In any circumstance, whether it be easy or hard, whether we have little to worry about or much fear, God, in Christ, has promised to be with us to give us strength and courage and the words we need. Perhaps we will face an adversary with the eloquence of silence. Jesus did before Herod, but either way, God is with us. He will give us the kind of talk and the kind of walk that will silence our adversaries. ‘Says the Lord, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.’

Pray With Me

Here is a promise, Lord, to which I have never fully laid claim. I have often prayed and sincerely meant, Thy kingdom come, but I distrust my ability to be a meaningful part of its coming. I forget that the power to bear testimony is Your gift. The wisdom of clear thinking and the power of convincing speech originate with You and find their expression through vessels that are clean, empty, and ready. If the seal has been broken and sin, like air seeping into a vacuum, brings decay, please restore me to Yourself. I pray for a heart that loves You without a rival and a will that serves You without compromise.

To the praise of Your name, Lord Jesus, my Strength and my Redeemer. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

If we talk often with God about others, we will soon be talking with others about God. Let us listen to God. Let us give God our hearts and our minds in prayer. Then He will give us a mouth and wisdom to communicate with others. Let us give Him the love and worship of our hearts. He has promised to give us a mouth to speak and wisdom to say it right