11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ~ Proverbs 25:11
I’m sure if you’ve been around church for any amount of time, especially those of the Pentecostal or Charismatic movement, you’ve heard the phrase, a now word. It simply means either a prophecy about a specific thing or words related to what’s happening in a specific person’s life or a certain situation. Well, this is what Solomon pictured when he wrote this Proverb. He was encouraging the encourager to continue to encourage his or her fellow person, friend, or family member. It is important to encourage the brethren when you see them troubled or discouraged. To speak a word that is relevant to that person in that situation can almost be priceless.
I know that there are times when I feel like I’ve been pouring myself out, and now I’m feeling drained and maybe a little discouraged. Then, someone will send me a text, say something to me, or even leave a nice comment on one of our posts, and it means the world to us. That word that is aptly spoken is so fitting to the situation that it immediately brightens the day and serves as the fuel to continue to try even harder.
That is not just the encourager speaking, but the Holy Spirit speaking through the encourager. Because God knows the heart and soul of every man and woman, boy and girl, and He is concern about each and every one of us, and if we need encouraging, He will send it. So, don’t hold back a compliment or a word of encouragement from those you are in contact with.
I know that there were times when I saw someone wearing a really nice outfit or looking extra nice, and I paid that person a compliment, and it changed their whole attitude and their whole outlook on life that day. Now, this is not to say that you ought to be insincere; we must always be sincere when we give a compliment, or it will make matters worse, not better. Flattery, for flattery’s sake, is not good. It causes more harm than good. Just be sincere and say something nice to someone today. Just like apples of gold in settings of silver are very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, so are encouraging words aptly spoken extremely pleasing to the soul, and brings hope to the heart. So, then, let us make a special effort to encourage each other whenever we get the opportunity.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending that someone who encouraged me in the past. Thank You for using me to encourage others. May we always look for opportunities to say something nice to someone else that will brighten their day and let them know that Jesus loves them, for it is in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
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