What you ought to say ∙

What you ought to say ∙

The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. – Luke 12:12

Exodus 3:11-14

 11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

 12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”

 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

Speech therapy involves the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders. The techniques used in speech therapy improve communication. They include articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and others depending on the type of speech or language disorder.

Speech therapy is often required for speech disorders that develop in childhood or speech impairments in adults caused by an injury or illness, such as stroke or brain injury.

Some children of the King have difficulties communicating well. Occasionally they need help with saying what they mean or perhaps what is most appropriate. They may have diminished social, language, communication, hearing, or fluency skills. This is often called a “Speech and language impediment.”

While Solomon got it right, “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Proverbs 17:28). Restraint is possible even for a fool, although unlikely (Proverbs 18:2). When he “does not talk” or “keeps his mouth shut” he gives the impression that he is wise. Thus even fools appear intelligent and prudent when they are silent (UBS).

“The proverb aims to admonish the disciple to hold his tongue when provoked, not to conceal his stupidity as in the Abraham Lincoln’s witticism: ‘It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt’” (Waltke).

However, speech impairments are never an obstacle for the Father.

The Father is always at work, and He invites us to participate in accomplishing His will and plans on earth. It may seem overwhelming when we contemplate what He asks us to do. We do a fast self-check and respond much like Moses did, “who am I?”

The bottom line is that it really doesn’t matter who we are. What matters is Who He is. He is “I AM.” The Father, the Lord God, omnipotent who He reigns from heaven above. There is no one and nothing like Him, no force, power, or created thing.

Our confidence does not come from our abilities but from His abilities. We are the “are nots” (1 Corinthians 1:28). Perhaps, as some might say, “a bucket of deplorables.” The Father loves to use weak, despised, and “inconsequential” things, people, and events to demonstrate His majesty so “that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7) (Stanley).

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.

 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing that the world considers important.

 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

REFLECT & PRAY

Unlimited power, knowledge, and ability are the resources available to any child of the Father. When He asks us to do something, He will give us what we need to accomplish His task when we need it.

Father thank You for always being at work and asking me to participate. I trust in You alone for the ability You alone provide.

INSIGHT

This world is dark and toxic. It offers a suffocating miasma of despair and futility. We are sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves. We are the light of the world. Jesus was under no illusions as He sent His disciples out to serve. He knew what was waiting for them – and He knows what is waiting for us. Still, He sends us to represent Him under the protection of His Father (Stanley).

Matthew 10:19-20

 19 Don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.

 20 For it is not you who will be speaking– it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

This marvelous promise becomes a reality as the Holy Spirit teaches and empowers us to speak. The words may be totally of the Spirit of the Father. They are instantaneous in the moment. Yet, while spontaneous, they may represent years of training, experience, and walking with Father. A pastor was once asked, “how long did it take you to prepare that sermon?” His answer was 40 years.

Consider that our present difficult circumstances and trials and our reaction to them are the stuff from which the Holy Spirit later constructs the words we speak.

Luke 12:11-12

 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.

We are qualified to do the Father’s work, not because of our own talents or abilities or training, but because the Father is with us. And if He is not with us, then no amount of skill or experience will make us qualified (Stanley).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 9-11-2

© Dr. H 2022