Speak with righteousness in your heart

Here is a very comforting scripture verse. Very simple and at the same time very profound. "The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29).

Now it could be very easy to just read and walk right past this verse looking for "meat" to study but take a closer look at the verse. The wisdom of Solomon is seen as very steadfast as he says that the Lord is a far distance away from the wicked. Who are the wicked? They are those who's heart is "far" from God. Those who would rather have their names etched in stone than into the Lamb's Book of Life! We are far from the wicked, if we are walking a path along side of God.

Then he says that God hears the prayer of the righteous. Who's that? That's you and me. That is those who believe that eternity begins with God and is unending. Take a look at the previous verse as it says that "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." Solomon understood that a true believer in God will ponder and think through (to include God), his decisions and responses in life. But he sees that the wicked simply open their mouths and let things "fly".

I see almost everyday how the wicked speak "unwisely" as they try to make sense of situations. Not trying to be political, but just look at our congressional system dealing with the financial crisis today. I see that for the most part, they speak and then think about what they said. Something's wrong with that and Solomon said the wicked pour "evil things" out of their mouths.

Where are we going in America today? What is the logic behind some of these decisions? We all have to agree that there is no "pondering" some of these decisions but rather "rapid fire" type of responses. That is far from the heart of God.

James said for us to be "quick to hear and slow to speak" (James 1:19). Suppose there is a reason for that? I know that every time I say something I have not thought through, it almost always comes out wrong or with added difficulties. With the wisdom of Solomon, "ponder your thoughts" and speak using the heart of God as your guide. Not a difficult thing to do!

Dave