With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Your mouth.
Psalm 119:13
DECLARING TRUTH
TAKING IT IN
It has been interesting as we approach the upcoming elections to see what issues make their way into headline news. Last week the value of being a stay at home mom and raising your children was attacked in the political arena. Moms and homemakers “twittered” their hearts out to respond to the comments!
But what comes as an attack on God’s design for women gives you and I an opportunity to declare the truths of biblical womanhood. As we communicate with women who may not have a personal relationship with the Lord, this “headline” offers a great conversation piece.
Even more exciting is that this week we find ourselves pondering the truths of Psalm 119:13; a timely piece of instruction for us as we consider “declaring truth”.
It was Charles Spurgeon who noted, “God’s objective for the believer is not only that he know and believe the truth, but that he speak it. God’s Word should not only be in his heart, but also in his mouth so that he may teach others.”
By declaring God’s Word with our lips we are continually promoting the spiritual growth of others and inviting women to come to Christ.
MAKING IT MEANINGFUL
The definition of the word “declare” holds great purpose within its meaning; it is defined as “to make clear or plain” anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood; to clear up, explain, expound, or interpret. It also means to describeor state in detail, to recount and to relate.
Read Nehemiah chapter 8 this week. This passage offers a beautiful picture of what the Psalmist is teaching us in Psalm 119:13. We read in Nehemiah 8:8 and 12:
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading… And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declaredto them.
As much as I love to teach, I love even more to counsel from the Word of God. There has been more than a few times when an unbelieving woman has been referred to me. As I come to God’s Word and declare it, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God work together to reveal truth to her. It has been a blessing to lead women to Christ or pray with them to rededicate their lives in the midst of their trials. Truth comes as light to the darkness, and living water to a dry and thirsty soul.
WORKING IT INTO MY HEART
If we took a look back at the headlines in the sixties we would have read about the rise of women’s liberation and the feminist movement. I was not a Christian at that time and bought into the lies promoted in the culture. I suffered greatly as a result of those lies until I was “truly liberated” and set free. Jesus did that for me! Lie after lie was uncovered as His marvelous truth opened my eyes to true biblical womanhood and there is beauty and purpose in His design for women that we need to be declaring!
Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t ask the question – what are we declaring with our lips? There are so many words that we speak without even thinking. Are we declaring our personal opinions? Are we gossiping? Are we repeating solutions we may have heard from Oprah or Dr. Phil? Are we quoting a great idea we read in a book?
May that not be the case! May we be like the Psalmist and be those women who are declaring all the judgments of God! His words are not human, they are supernatural. God’s Word holds all the answers to life’s problems and as they are declared they have the power to change people’s lives for eternity!
End your time today reading Isaiah 55. It is an invitation to the abundant life, not just for you and me, but for the women out there that so desperately need to experience it!
