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November 20, 2012
Day 15
His hand on my lips
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Dear Praying Friend,
Our daily meditation of the penitential psalms have revealed the distress the psalmists have endured at the hands of their enemies, who have abused them in their weakened state by mocking and taunting the Lord's faithful servants. Instead of retaliating in an effort to defend themselves, the Lord's servants, instead, turned their lips toward heaven and cried out to their Righteous Judge. "Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies" (Psalm 34:12-13).
This week we will meditate on Psalm 32, a psalm declaring the joyous testimony of the Lord's forgiveness to those who confess their sins and turn their hearts to God. His purpose is not to tear down, but to build up and restore; this requires lips of repentance, not a mouth full of evil. The Scriptures tell us, "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34); and the Lord is looking for hearts that overflow with love, not hatred, towards others.
"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless
and does what is righteous,
who speaks truth from his heart
and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken."
(Psalm 15)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your awesome gift of forgiveness. No amount of taunting and mocking from another can compare to the guilt and shame that we feel when we have sinned against Your Holy Name. How blessed we are that Your hand is open to us so we can come to You, confess our sins, and receive Your forgiveness. Lord, forgive us for pointing fingers and opening our mouths in gossip against others who are also struggling in their sin. Help us to not be like the unrighteous whose tongues practice deceit, the poison of vipers are on their lips, and their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Lead us instead down the righteous path that we might glorify Your name by living upright, blameless, and holy lives. Cover our mouths with Your holy hand and fill it with Your Holy Word that we may speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. We want to honor You and to live by Your command to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and to 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' May we honor You by 'setting an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity' In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Steadfast in Prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Matthew 22:37-38; Romans 3:13-14; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Timothy 4:12. | 
