Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it at all.” I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know this saying. It is quite a noble goal. I know my tendency is to “go off” on people that I think deserve it. As I get older and hopefully wiser, the temptation to unload on people has lessened, but as I read today’s verse, I see a whole new level.

The mouth can only speak what is in the heart. I think things that certainly never make it out of my mouth (thank goodness!) Lately, I’m finding these not-so-good thoughts are actually being spoken out loud. I catch myself immediately sometimes. Other times, it is when I try to get alone with God that they are brought to remembrance. I so want to be holy as He is holy. I want to be Godly and different, but how can I when I speak no different than the world speaks and do no different than the world does?

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. — Matthew 19:26

It always seems to come back to this, doesn’t it? There are some things I can fix on my own. There are things I think God expects me to fix on my own. Other things are just never going away unless God intervenes on my behalf. I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” When you come to the realization that there are some things you do that completely violate His will for your life, and you can do absolutely nothing about it on your own, then it is time to pour out your heart to Him. Cry out to Him, “Father, if you don’t change me, I will not change.” Now you are in a position to be blessed. Now, you have access to the kingdom of Heaven.

Lord, I hate when I go through seasons of regression. I hate when I feel like I’m getting further away from You when all I want is to be as close to You as possible. I guess nobody is exempt from taking steps backwards no matter how many steps they’ve made forward. There is no way on my own that I can think pure thoughts continually. Will you help me? Will you make it so that the very things I think about are pleasing to You? It seems impossible. It is impossible. But, I have You. There is none like You. I love You. You are the Lord of my life. As Your eyes go to and fro searching for hearts that are perfect toward You, may mine be one of them, and may You show Yourself strong.

Amen

Adam