The Tongue of the Taught

“The Lord God has given me
    the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
    him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught…

Let him who walks in darkness
    and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
    and rely on his God.” Isaiah 50:4,10b

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her…
    that her iniquity is pardoned.” Isaiah 40:1,2b

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

“Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
    who greatly delights in his commandments!” Psalm 112:1

The LORD GOD, covenant-keeping Sovereign, has given us the gift of conveying His word. He’s faithfully, consistently instilled truth to be real and relevant and powerful in our life, and made our mouth to speak. He never intended we use the mind apart from the tongue. We are not to take in and never give out, not to absorb yet never refresh. He’s given treasures of darkness not to hoard for ourselves, but to bring them into light. (Exodus 4:11; Isaiah 45:3; Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:6)

When He awakens us to His instruction and revelation, have we been alert and careful to store up treasures new and old? What particular life lessons have we learned, practiced, honed in our journey with Christ that could be helpful to another? What deep truths have become ours through unique experiences, growth in faith and understanding of God’s ways and character? How diligent are we at seeking out those who need encouragement, and stepping out of comfy company and crafted schedules into needy lives to offer God’s word? Would we generously take from all the riches entrusted to us to offer living water to satisfy His children? (Matthew 13:52; James 1:22)

Ability and willingness to bring comfort, truth, and light to God’s people takes morning by morning- regular alone time- to listen keenly. It takes saying no to the world, more sleep, and distractions in order to meditate on and apply and store up the wisdom of God’s word. It requires being open to His teaching, correction, rebuke, conviction, and filling. It flows from taking delight in His life-giving and -changing word so it permeates our reason and perspective. (2 Timothy 3:16)

What are we doing with the storehouse entrusted to us? Where are we casting Christs’s living bread upon the waters, among those with whom we work and live, so they can taste and see He is good? Are we attuned to the weary, and willing to offer the time and appropriate words to them, to build up, console, strengthen? (Psalm 34:8; Ecclesiastes 11:1; 1 Corinthians 14:3)

LORD GOD, keep my ear alert to Your voice, daily to listen and take in every nugget of the word You prescribe. Teach me discernment, mold my heart aright, and embolden my mouth as Your emissary to speak truth in love and spread light in darkness, for Your glorious sake. (Ephesians 4:15)