Our Daily Bread April 14
Healing Words / Kirsten Holmberg Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Proverbs 16:20–24 (NIV):
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
A recent study has shown that encouraging words from a health-care provider can help patients recuperate faster from their ailments. A simple experiment exposed volunteer study participants to a skin allergen to make them itch and then compared the reactions between those who received assurance from their physician and those who didn’t. Patients who received encouragement from their doctors had less discomfort and itching than their counterparts.
The writer of Proverbs knew how important encouraging words are. “Gracious words” bring “healing to the bones,” he wrote (Proverbs 16:24). The positive effect of words isn’t limited to our health: when we heed the wisdom of instruction, we’re also more likely to prosper in our efforts (v. 20). So too encouragement buoys us for the challenges we face now and may encounter in the future.
We may not yet fully understand why or even how much wisdom and encouragement bring strength and healing to our daily lives. Yet the cheers and guidance of our parents, coaches, and colleagues seem to help us endure difficulty and steer us toward success. Similarly, the Bible brings us encouragement when we face trials, equipping us to bear up under even the most unthinkable circumstances. Help us, God, to be strengthened by Your wisdom and to, in turn, offer the healing and hope of “gracious words” to those You’ve placed in our lives.
Today’sHynms:
Sing them over again
Teach me Your way Oh Lord
Scripture to Respond:
Proverbs 25:11-12 (NIV)
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
Romans 15:4-6 (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection :
Who has brought you ‘gracious words’ in your life? How does God encourage you through the people around you? How does God’s Word comfort and heal you?
God wants you to help, through His Word, the people around you to face the present hardships and future challenges. Are you willing to do so?
The Bible is able to encourage us when we face trials, equip us to bear the most unbearable circumstances. God strengthens us when we rely on His wisdom, and in turn bring the gracious words of healing and hope to the people that He placed in our lives.
You may read today's devotional scripture and insights by clicking on the link below:
Prayer:
The Lord of words and wisdom, please give me a heart of compassion, and a mouth of gracious words to build up every one in my contact.
Wong Wai Tung (Chief executive officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) & Sam Chow (Administrative officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) Translated by Esther Leung
