19-21 This is how God answered me:
“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
Don’t change your words to suit them.
I’ll turn you into a steel wall,
a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you
because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.”
God’s Decree.
“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”
I read this a couple times in the NIV, which I caught the repenting part. But in the Message I caught something more nuanced that I was missing. Stick by God, know his is word eat it like it says in verse 15 and have his Word inside me. Then use my words to impact those around me, don't be weak and change my words match society. Don't be politically correct when it comes to sharing about God.
knut
I also saw the repentance facet. I pulled this verse:
ReplyDelete“If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
If we repent....he is more than willing to restore us and use us. I think that's HUGE!