His Word Runs Swiftly

02 Tuesday Oct 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 147, Psalms

Tags

commands, God's word, new life, peace, power of words, words

Reading: Psalm 147
(Verses 13-18)
He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow (NIV).

Remembering October hues, Nanaimo, BC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
What does a swiftly running word look like? Does it have legs on the bottom of each letter so it can run along, somewhat like a scurrying centipede? Or maybe when words run, they flow like a babbling stream rushing around and over rocks? How do you visualize running words?

Here in Psalm 147, the psalmist uses this metaphor to describe God’s word in action. He [the LORD] sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.

We can be sure of one thing. When the word of the LORD is sent forth, it accomplishes its purpose. The prophet Isaiah wrote of that unchanging truth. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

God’s word brings blessing. That’s the picture that the psalmist paints. Isaiah uses different brush strokes, but in essence he paints a similar picture. The outpouring of the word of God onto His people brings a bountiful blessing. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

Wherever God’s word reaches, it brings new life and fullness to life. Yes, it often brings conviction of sins, but those are the dead limbs that need to be cut off so new growth can flourish. God’s word reorients my life from a path that leads to death to the way everlasting.

The inner peace and security that I need are found in the presence of the LORD. I need a constant flow of God’s word into my heart and my mind. True prosperity, healing and strength are found in the swiftly running words of God. I want to be immersed in those running words.

Response: LORD God, I treasure your commands and your words. I want your word to be active within me, cutting off those sins and habits that are unproductive, and then bringing forth new life and the fruits of righteousness, peace and joy. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you allow God’s word to run and play in your mind? Has a Bible verse changed your life?

Bullying in the Bible?

17 Thursday May 2018

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

betrayal, bullying, children, Facebook, hatred, Judas, Orleans, power of words, Prayer, teacher, Tweets, words

Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).

Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Forest Valley ravine, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.

All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.

It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.

Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Lord, show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?

Cruel Words

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 64, Psalms

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

cruel words, depravity, election, politicians, power of words, propaganda, social media, suicide, the LORD, tongue

Reading: Psalm 64

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.
They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?”
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him! (NIV)

Reflection
I originally wrote this post in the final days of an election campaign here in Canada. In the context of an election, the words of this psalm have a peculiar resonance. Politicians’ tongues have been sharpened like swords. Cruel words have been aimed at opponents like deadly arrows. The airwaves are saturated with lies, propaganda and half-truths coming from all sides.

A late November morning — photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

Rest easy, dear reader, I’m not about to take sides in a political debate. But Psalm 64 contains some important truths that we would be wise to heed.

First, our tongues have deadly power. The poison of vipers is in the tongue. (See Psalm 140:3.) Many young people have taken their own lives because of the taunting of others. Social media has only worsened the situation, since one can now mount an attack from a distance. The venom that is often spewed in website comment boxes is beyond disgusting. The cruelty and depravity of the human heart are on full display. As the psalmist, David says, “Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.”

So then guard the thoughts of your heart and mind. Take care what you put into print. It can have a profound effect for good or evil. Cruel words can be as deadly as a missile strike. The LORD is our refuge from cruel taunts, but He also is our judge, when we launch a verbal or written attack.

Response: LORD God, help me to use wisdom and discretion in all I say, write or post. You are the judge of every idle word. Holy Spirit, guard my heart and my mind. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been the victim of social media attacks? How did you respond?

Words of Hatred

24 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

behavior, betrayal, bullying, chickens, Facebook, hate, hatred, power of words, Twitter, words

Reading: Psalm 109

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

(Verses 1-5)

My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).

Reflection

Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

“Oh, how the mighty have fallen” Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island, BC — photo by David Kitz

Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?

He Sent His Word

17 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 107, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

God's word, healing, Jesus Christ, power of words, resurrection, words

Reading: Psalm 107

(Verses 17-22)

Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy (NIV).

Reflection

There is a verse in Psalm 107 that holds deep significance for all eternity—past, present and future. Here is the verse: He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave (Psalm 107:20).

Raised to new life — spring photo by David Kitz — in Victoria, BC

I was introduced to this wonderful verse at the funeral of my maternal grandfather. Psalm 107:20 was the sermon text. This Bible verse might seem like an odd choice for use at a funeral. After all, in the end the deceased was not healed. In the case of my grandfather, he made it to the ripe old age 92 years, but death triumphed in the end. Or did it?

The pastor pointed out that throughout his life, on countless occasions, God sent out his word and healed my grandfather, and God who is faithful would do it again. But on the next occasion the LORD would raise my grandfather from the dead.

This is the great hope of all who believe in Jesus Christ. He is our forerunner. He suffered death on our behalf, but he also experienced resurrection.

The God who in eons past spoke galaxies into existence can send His word and resurrect my grandfather, and all who have put their faith in the resurrected Savior. With each passing day that awesome moment draws nearer. That’s the ultimate healing and it happens through the power of God’s word.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Response: Father God, send your word. Send your word and heal those who are sick. Send your word and save and transform those who are hostile to you. Send your word and resurrect those who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. LORD God, send your word. Amen.

Your Turn: Who springs to mind when you pray for God to send His word?

He spoke and it came to be

18 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

creation, Creator, power of words, Psalms, the LORD

When will I see your face?

Petrie Island at sunset — photo by David Kitz

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.

(Psalm 33:6-9 NIV)

Creative Words

20 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

creation, creative, Creator, earth, God, power of words, words

As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

Early Morning Sunrise, Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is creation.

The beauty of the natural world is astounding. The morning sunrise is an example of that beauty. Even more astonishing is the thought that the world—this grand creation—came into existence through the power of spoken words.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of that truth.

As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

If God’s words have such incredible power, what about our words? Do they have power too? Absolutely. We are created in the image of God and the words we speak can create a world of good or stir up the dark forces of hell. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Consider this. Today you have an opportunity to create a better world by the amazing power of your words.

Response: LORD God, today I want to use my tongue for good rather than lashing out in angry hurtful ways. Help me bring encouragement and positive change where needed. Amen.

Your Turn: Have your words hurt or helped someone lately?

Words and Thoughts

08 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

anger, David, power of words, the LORD, the tongue

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

Crashing waves, Lake Ontario – photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that thoughts and words work together. Kind thoughts will lead to kind words. The same principle applies to angry thoughts. When our thoughts are steeped in jealousy or bitterness, we should not be surprised if the words we speak cut and wound. That’s why David’s prayer in Psalm 19 is so relevant for us today.

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

In Proverbs we read: A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up (Proverbs 15:1). All too often we are the authors of our own troubles. We lash out in anger rather than control our tongue and the result is we unleash a storm that rains down on our own heads.

Most often, words and thoughts that are pleasing to the LORD will also be pleasing to others because they reflect concern and compassion, rather than just our own self-interest.

Response: LORD God, I want my words and thoughts to be pleasing to you. Help me to consider others before myself just as Jesus taught us to do. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you like me? Do you think too much about yourself and too little about others?

Aiming Cruel Words

15 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by davidkitz in Devotionals, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

comment boxes, election, politicians, power of words, social media, words

Reading: Psalm 64

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.

They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?”
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.

The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him! (NIV).

Reflection

I am writing this post in the final days of an election campaign here in Canada. In the context of an election, the words of this psalm have a peculiar resonance. Politicians’ tongues have been sharpened like swords. Cruel words have been aimed at opponents like deadly arrows. The airwaves are saturated with lies, propaganda and half-truths coming from all sides.

Be a bridge builder with words. –David Kitz

Rest easy, dear reader, I’m not about to take sides in a political debate. But Psalm 64 contains some important truths that we would be wise to heed.

First, our tongues have deadly power. The poison of vipers is in the tongue. Many young people have taken their own lives because of the taunting of others. Social media has only worsened the situation, since one can now mount an attack from a distance. The venom that is often spewed in website comment boxes is beyond disgusting. The cruelty and depravity of the human heart are on full display. As the psalmist, David says, “Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.”

So then guard the thoughts of your heart and mind. Take care what you put into print. It can have a profound effect for good or evil. The LORD is our refuge from cruel taunts, but He also is our judge.

Response: LORD God, help me to use wisdom and discretion in all I say, write or post. You are the judge of every idle word. Holy Spirit, guard my heart and my mind. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been the victim of social media attacks? How did you respond?

The Creative Power of Words

14 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 33, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

creative, God, language, Light, power of words, Psalms, the LORD

Reading: Psalm 33

(Verses 6-9)

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;

he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all the people of the world revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm. (NIV)

Reflection

Have you ever considered the creative power of words? Words change the world. They bring order out of chaos. Words shine the light of day into the darkness of this world. From the very beginning words have been imbued with divine power. The psalmist reminds us, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.”

But it’s not only God’s words that have this vast power. Our words—human words, whether spoken or written have enormous power too. Adam’s first job assignment was to speak words—to name the animals. Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals (Genesis 2: 19-20).

Strangely, God did not do what every parent does. He didn’t tell Adam what the animals were called. Adam told God their names. By so doing, God vested mankind with the power of language. Life is what we call it.

Our words describe the world and give meaning to it. Through our words we bring order and make sense of the world around us. As a writer I am continually processing and attempting to make sense of this chaotic thing called life. I do it with words. That’s what we are called to do.

With our words we shine the light of truth onto a situation. With words we write laws, administer justice and design our government. With words we woo and romance and vow our love to one another. Our words create imaginary realms into which we can travel—words that transport. With our words we have the power to elevate the human spirit, or crush someone to the point of suicide.

Finally, there is something innately prophetic about our words. What we speak and write is potent. It has within in it the latent ability to become reality. Therefore, we need to guard our lips. See James 3:1-12. The psalmist reminds us not only of the power of the word of the LORD, but also our own words. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Response: LORD God, help me give careful consideration to my words. Today, may my words be a creative force for good in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: How has God used your words for good lately?

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

Tag Archives: power of words

His Word Runs Swiftly

Bullying in the Bible?

Words of Hatred

He Sent His Word

He spoke and it came to be

When will I see your face?

(Psalm 33:6-9 NIV)

Creative Words

As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

As soon as he spoke the world was created; at his command, the earth was formed (Psalm 33:9, CEV).

Words and Thoughts

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector (Psalm 19:14, CEV).

The Creative Power of Words