Bible Passage(s): 1 Samuel 1: 1 – 18
Memory Verse: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See, how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3: 5 – 6
Our Bible passage for this month is the story of a young Amalekite, who came from the camp of King Saul at the battle against the Philistines. Having known about the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan on Mount Gilboa, he came to give David the ‘good news’, expecting David to be happy to hear the news of the death of King Saul, his enemy. He compounded his case by claiming that he was the one who killed King Saul, ostensibly thinking that David will commend and reward him for doing so. Recall that Saul had pursued David, in order to kill him and thereby prevent his ascension to the throne of Israel, which God had already anointed him for.
Unfortunately, the reaction of David was not as the young man expected. Instead of praises and reward, the Amalekite, received a death sentence, which he has used his own mouth to pronounce on himself. This is because David could not rejoice in the death of King Saul and moreover, how can a man kill the Lords anointed and expect praises from David, a man who on two occasions had the opportunity to kill Saul, but refrained himself, saying, how can I lift up my hand against the Lord’s anointed?
This story is very apt to demonstrate the danger of tale bearing. It tells of how dangerous and fatal the tongue can be if not well tamed. See what the Bible says about the tongue as presented in the memory verse, it is ‘a little member and boasts of great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!’ So in this month of grace, I pray that your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man (Col 4:6). Please do not use your mouth to bear tales that can prevent you from receiving the good news that the Lord has promised you this year. In this month of grace, I pray that you will not use your tongue to dig a grave for yourself. Rather, your tongue will always express words of grace that will be beautiful for every situation in your life in Jesus mighty name.
The Lord bless and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forevermore. Amen. Have a grace filled month.
Prayer Points
1. Thank the Lord for making to see another month in the year 2017. It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16). Thank Him for His mercy upon your life and making you to see this new month.
2. Pray that that the Lord will deliver you from the danger posed by the tongue. Ask that He will prevent you from bearing evil tidings this month, so that you will not land into trouble.
3. Ask for His help in all that you do, that you will not do anything that will prevent you from receiving your good news this month in Jesus mighty name.
Bola Olowe,
Grace Leadership Foundation
You can also read this message and previous ones at our web site:
www.graceleadershipfoundation.org
This month, the Lord of grace will turn to you with mercy, favor and good health. Welcome to the month of grace.