"Anxiety of the heart of a man weighs it down, But an encouraging word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25

'An encouraging word'. As members of the Body of Christ, the Church, we are to be anxious for nothing, but there are times when anxieties may come upon us. How wonderful it is to have brothers and sisters in Christ to give words of encouragement and edification. Again, we thank you Lord for Your word that prepares us to do just that.

The Apostle Paul says much concerning this in his letters to Believers:
"So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." Romans 14:19

"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification." Romans 15:1-2

"...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." 1 Corinthians 8:1

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:6

In Titus 2:8, Paul tells us, among other things, to be, "Sound in speech which is beyond reproach..."

And what does Scripture tell us of wise words?
They are forcible:
"How forcible are right words!..." Job 6:25 "A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is! Proverbs 15:23

They are pleasant:
"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

They are appropriate:
"Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances" Proverbs 25:11

They are gracious:
"Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him." Ecclesiastes 10:12

They are comforting:
Here in Isaiah 50, the chapter that speaks of the Messiah's obedience, we see in verse 4, "The Lord God has given Me, The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned."

This too must be our attitude! We are learners! Let us awaken each morning with ears to learn so that we will be ready 'to know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary'. For it is God's word that is forcible, pleasant, appropriate, gracious and comforting. Let us be so attuned to our Lord through His Holy Spirit that we will have His words of encouragement and edification to give at the time they are needed.

Thank you Lord for Your word! Amen