A Tongue That Heals

"Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

~ Proverbs 12:18

Sweetly meditate upon the gentle words of our Saviour. In the ravine of our sin, our crimes separated us from God, and yet it is there that the words of salvation from our Lord Jesus Christ flow as a refreshing brook. When the tides of anxiety and despair seem to recede for a while only to thrash the soul once more with a chilling fear of helplessness, the Captain of our salvation, lifts us and places us on "the rock that is higher than (us)" (Psalm 61:2). Under the scorching heat of our trials, He shades the weary Christian pilgrim under His lush promises of sustenance.

Our Lord is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever." (Ps. 103:8-9). "A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish;" (Isa. 42:3). "His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh." (Songs 5:13) Surely, the words of Christ who is "God only wise", are healing to our souls!

Consider His refreshing words of encouragement like the morning dew; Even "the crowds marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth." (Luke 4:22) He stilled turbulent hearts saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled; You believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1) He wooed and inflamed our cold, hard hearts saying, "Even as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you...I no longer call you servants, instead I have called you friends." (John 15:9, 15) He strengthens the weak to serve Him saying "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Therefore, since Christ has often been long-suffering towards you as you tested Him and sinned against Him, how should our words be to those around us? We must bind up the brokenhearted. We must bear with one another in their struggles. We must be patient with those that stumble. We must spur on those of little faith, and encourage those that seek after the Lord. Remember how your Father's gentleness strengthens you (Ps. 18:35), and do the same unto your brothers and sisters in Christ.