Devotional from my Bible app: The Power of Words (Psalm 46:1)

Note before sharing the devotional: 4 years ago on this day, Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash, along with eight other people. On air on the ESPN channel either later that day or the next, one of the sportscasters pleaded with the public to let go of grudges (Bryant had been involved in a few over the course of his basketball career but mended most of them, I think). That spurred me to call one of my fellow group members with whom I had said some hurtful words. Normally, per group procedure, group members would wait until the next week's group to attempt to mend fences if any were ruptured. I decided this shouldn't wait, on the off-chance that either of us were to pass before the next group session. We made up over the phone. It was the right thing to do. Ironically, one of my issues that I was trying to express previously when I ended up making the hurtful comment was around sports. We were both sports fans, albeit of rival teams, but my original contention with this other person (which Bryant's death caused me to reconsider) was that sports wasn't that important and shouldn't be treated as such.

We made up, and that's that. It pleased God, and that's all that really matters.

The Power of Words

Words have power.

We use thousands of them every day to communicate. They help us share joy and sadness. They help us learn and grow. We use them to build each other up—or tear each other down…

And yet, we often underestimate the impact of our words.

Are you giving thought to the words you speak over yourself or about others daily? Are they words rooted in doubt, fear, and insecurity, or do they come from the truth, goodness, and security in God’s promises?

In Psalm 46:1, the Psalter makes a powerful declaration of God's truth and promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

And this declaration leads to action in the next verse: “Therefore we will not fear” (verse 2).

Our declarations have the power to guide our actions. So what is it that you are declaring? Maybe today, you need the reminder to speak the truth of the words that come from God—your refuge, strength, and ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

As God's child, you have been given freedom in Christ to choose and use words wisely (Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:29).

So today, choose words of life. May your tongue be an instrument of blessing, as you declare what is true, pure, admirable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.46.1.NKJV