May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Proverbs 19:14
Years ago, I heard someone explain that the direction we move toward, not our intentions, will lead to our destination. You see, we can all say we want to do something, but we need to actually take the steps to do that thing to reach our goals. We have to take the steps to move in the direction we want to go. This is true with the words we say. If we want to speak life-giving, encouraging words, we have to actually take steps to speak these kinds of words to the people in our lives, especially the children in our lives.
David, the author of Psalm 19, committed to speaking words that please God. This passage of Scripture contains a prayer to God, asking God to help him live in a way that brings Him honor. As he wrote this passage of Scripture, he pleaded with the Lord, saying, “Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me” (verse 13). Throughout this entire Psalm, David demonstrated a great desire to honor God. He ended this Psalm by praying, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” With every word that David said, he wanted to honor God and please Him. What an example He set for us!
Each one of us likely wants to honor and please God with the words we say. The question is, are we actually moving in that direction by speaking words that please God and bring Him honor? One of the ways we can please God through our words is by speaking encouraging words to others, especially the children in our lives. As we point out the gifts God has given them, encourage them to obey and honor Him, remind them of their value in Him, and more, God is pleased.
May we, like David, carry the same desire to honor Him through our words and actions. May we honor God with our words by taking action and encouraging the children in our lives, and speak words of life. After all, He created them and loves them so very much.
Commit today to intentionally speaking words of encouragement. Make a list of three ways you can encourage the children in your life with your words today. Then, set out to do those three things. Ask God to help you as you seek to speak the kind of words that build up the people around you.
Psalm 19:1-14
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
©2025 Sagebrush Church
