Amos 3:8 The lion has roared–
who will not fear?
The Sovereign LORD has spoken–
who can but prophesy?

This is certainly an easy to understand metaphor! Put this way, it would seem absurd that anyone who has heard what God is saying would fail to express it. However, that seems all too common. If what we feel the Lord is saying is not “politically correct,” we hold our tongues out of a fear of man. I am certainly reminded of the recent speech by Dr. Benjamin Carson at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. He was widely attacked for what he had the temerity to say with the president just two seats away from him, but when he was interviewed on the subject, the first thing he said was, “I serve God.” That’s the attitude every Christian should have! Throughout the Bible, men of God have “spoken to power,” often at the risk and sometimes at the cost of their lives. Few people might have the opportunity to “speak to power,” but we all have opportunities to speak to those who need to hear. I think we all would find that the more we are willing to communicate what God says to us, the more we will hear Him speaking! With our humanity there is always the risk of pride getting in the way of that, however. No one likes someone who boasts of their spirituality. Actually, such boasting makes their spirituality suspect! The focus is never to be on us, but rather on God, who is so gracious as to speak to us.

As someone who has had a gift for words from childhood, the pride angle of this is a major issue for me. Anyone who knows me knows I can’t help talking! I’ve got to be careful to keep my input to a minimum, speaking when prompted by the Holy Spirit but being silent when not so prompted. My words would have more weight if I would do so! Today I will be with a lot of people I’ve never met before. I must be fully available for whatever God wants to say through me to anyone, but I must not put myself forward. My focus must be on God, so that people may see and hear Him through me to whatever degree He may choose.

Father, thank You for the opportunity I have today, and for this very timely warning. Help me indeed hold back my words so that Your words may be spoken when and how You choose, for the blessing of my hearers and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!