What Should I Say?

Hey there and welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading titled What Should I Say? was written by Jennifer Benson Schult. When I stopped to browse through a box of books marked C.S. Lewis at a used bookshop, the store owner appeared. As we chatted about the available titles, I wondered if he might be interested in the faith that inspired much of Lewis' writing. I prayed silently for guidance.

Information from a biography came to mind, and we began to discuss how C.S. Lewis' character pointed to God. In the end, I was thankful that a quick prayer had reoriented our conversation to spiritual matters. Nehemiah paused to pray before a pivotal moment in a conversation with King Artaxerxes in Persia. The king had asked how he could help Nehemiah, who was distraught over Jerusalem's destruction. Nehemiah was the king's servant and therefore in no position to ask for favors, but he needed one, a big one. He wanted to restore Jerusalem, so he prayed to the God of heaven before asking to leave his job so he could reestablish the city.

The king consented and even agreed to help Nehemiah make travel arrangements and procure timber for the project. The Bible encourages us to pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. This includes moments when we need courage, self-control, or sensitivity. Praying before we speak helps us give God control of our attitude and our words. How might He want to direct your words today?

Ask Him and find out. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Nehemiah chapter 2 verses 1 through 6. In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, Why does your face look so sad when you're not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart. I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? The king said to me, What is it you want? Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild it. Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, How long will your journey take and when will you get back?

It pleased the king to send me, so I set a time. Let's pray. Dear God, we pray that the words we speak are given at just the right moment and with just the right heart.

So often we struggle with saying too much at the wrong time. So give us the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. Use what we say to bring glory to Your name. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. I'm Toni Collyer, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.