“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.” – Proverbs 15:26
Lizzie De Armond died in 1936, leaving an abundance of children’s hymns, recitations, exercises and more. In the early years of her womanhood, the cares and responsibilities of life crowded out a craft she would come to love. Although she had penned her first published poem at age 12, it was not until she was left a widow with eight children to support that necessity compelled her to renew the work she had neglected. She wrote short articles for papers and magazines, librettos for cantatas, and nature stories, but the legacy she left would be sung again and again in Sunday Schools and evangelistic meetings.
“If the dark shadows gather as you go along, do not grieve for their coming, sing a cheery song. There is joy for the taking, it will soon be light. Every cloud wears a rainbow if your heart keeps right.”
With today’s verse, God is warning the wicked with words of the time that today would translate, “Don’t even think about it!” No matter what the wicked would show on the outside, God detests what is really inside them, and they don’t fool Him. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus cautions that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” When your heart is right with the Lord, your words are pleasant and pure—and God is pleased!
Check your words today. Do they bear the eloquence and graciousness of a pure heart? Don’t allow the dark shadows or the cares of the world to crowd out the rainbow God has for you. Pray that those responsible for the welfare of our nation would be more cautious about their use of speech—and have it begin with purity of heart because they know the Lord.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 15:26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 12:30-37
30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
