Be Careful What You “Open Wide [Your] Lips” To Say!

In God we boast all day long, and praise your name forever. Psalm 44: 8, NKJV.

Dear God, please teach us, as we come into Your presence, how we may open our mouths wide and testify of You. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Yesterday we meditated upon the necessity of keeping watch over our mouth. We saw how dangerous it can be to open our mouths indiscreetly, without considering the effect our words might have on others, and what reaction they might produce. Unfortunately, we saw how speaking, without first considering the possible effects of his words, cost a man his life. Today, I would like us to take a closer look at what possible meaning could be applied to the phrase, “opening wide our lips.” I have considered that a possible meaning of the phrase might be that of “boasting.”

I believe all of us know somebody who likes to boast. It is usually not a pleasant experience to be in the presence of such a person. Perhaps the hardest part of the experience is the monotony, of only hearing one person’s story. The exception to that rule, is, boasting about what God has done for us! If this is done with understanding and with tact, this kind of boasting can be very encouraging. It can give hope to the hearers, that what God did for us, He can do for them.

I believe our text for today, places the right emphasis on boasting, that can be a blessing. People are blessed when we boast in God; of His goodness, and His mercy! When we let others know that it was God who provided what we needed, at just the time we needed it; that it was God who fought and won our battles; that it is God who has healed our infirmities, and made us whole! “And they overcame him by the word of their testimony . . . “ (Revelation 12: 11). This is life in community – lived for the edification of one another.  When we “open wide [our] lip[s],” let us make sure that God is the center of our boasting.

Last week we made mention of the young captive maid who waited on Naaman’s wife. We do not even know her name, but her fame has far out-lived her, because she boasted in the LORD. This is what we read about her in Scripture: “And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For He would heal him of his leprosy.’ And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, ‘Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel’ ” (2 Kings 5: 2-4).

Now my friends, I do not know if you fully understand all that is implied in what we just read. Here is a man who is held in high esteem by the king, because of his prowess in battle. He is using the testimony of a young girl, in captivity, in order to secure approval from his master, to take leave of absence. He is going to visit someone from the land that they had conquered, who is said to have the power to heal him! Just try to put all of this in perspective! Her life itself must have been a living testimony! I can just imagine how she must have “boasted in the LORD,” to her mistress; and praised the name of the LORD, constantly, as she did her duties around the house! 

Regardless of how she witnessed, it was so effective, that it laid the foundation, for Naaman to be healed. There is so much that we can learn from this young maiden. She had every obvious reason to sulk and complain! God’s people had become prisoners of war to a people who were not called by His name! She was young, according to Scripture, and separated from her parents. She, who knew and served the true God, was now waiting on one, who did not. But instead of complaining, she praised! As a result, Naaman came to a knowledge of the true God, and was healed. Perhaps only in eternity will we see the full harvest of souls that was reaped, thanks to her testimony! When we, as Christians, “open wide [our] lips”, it should be a blessing to others.

NOTE: Please accept my regrets that there was no devotional posted yesterday. Because of unusual circumstances I was unable to publish a devotional, until earlier today.