I didn’t realize I needed a guard. I am not famous. I don’t have a lot. I am not in high demand. Why would I need a guard? I don’t need the type of guard you may be thinking. I need the type of guard that Psalmist prayed to receive. I need a particular type of guard that would make me more like Christ. I need the type of guard that would help me to be kind and loving and thoughtful. What type of guard is it? The Psalmist asked God, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” That I could definitely use.
I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to think before I speak. That is why I prefer to write. It helps me to filter my thoughts, hopefully with some love and compassion added in. I am able to consider what God has for me to say rather than just what I am thinking. That’s an important component – what God would have me to say. Can you imagine a guard over our mouths and God keeping watch of the door of our lips? As I get ready to speak, I can imagine losing my voice. I can just imagine not being able to make a full sentence. I would definitely say a lot less! There could be some definite advantages.
Maybe a guard is just what we need. But we need a guard over our keyboard and phone as well. We need a guard over our thoughts. We need a guard to keep us from posting hateful things or speaking malice. We need a guard to filter the things we think are so important but are really just judgmental. We need a guard to slap our hands or shut our mouths before we spew anything that is not pleasing to God. I could use a guard. Maybe I listen to God today – he may already have set that guard if I would just listen. Set the guard, Lord…Set the guard.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 141:1-3
I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
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