Author: Eric Wee
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
Recently I was discharged from the hospital for my angioplasty. It was a nervous time for me as I can’t even recall when was the last time I was admitted to a stay in the hospital. Many things rushed through my mind about the procedure – about the uncertainties and outcomes. Prayer works. Because the Peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7). What makes the stay less anxious also are Gracious words. Gracious words from the nurses and doctors who exuberate a state of calm and attentive care. (My heart goes out to them now in the midst of this pandemic)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul.
In these unprecedented times, relationships are changing. Most of us are told to stay home. Suddenly a new dynamic of relationships are expected of us – home schooling, work from home, social distancing, eating together?, etc. We are “forced” to relate. Sometimes the good shines forth, sometimes the bad and ugly emerge. Gracious words are sweet and intentional. In an argument (as Ps. Alvin says animated conversation), Love and Grace always triumphant over Righteousness. Relationship has to be learned; it doesn’t come naturally. Some relationships take a lifetime to learn. Our Christian relationship with God is a lifetime journey. Let Gracious words come out of the overflow of this relationship.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Gracious words are healing to the bones- it’s life giving.
Gracious words heal a broken heart, a misunderstood heart, an angry heart, an anxious fearful heart … When our hearts are far from God, Gracious words keep us going and turn our eyes to Jesus. Sometimes bad things happen that we don’t understand. We need to turn to HIS words that are filled with Grace and to know where we stand in HIS Grace.
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
Grace is a gift; our gracious words are a gift. The appropriate response to a gift is Thanksgiving. Praise is the supreme form of thanksgiving and therefore praise and worship is the appropriate response to the God of all Grace.