Sunday Soaking: His Spirit in Me, His Word on My Tongue

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.”
II Samuel 23:2

Chapter 23 of II Samuel is titled, “The Last Words of David” in my Bible. As King David writes his memoirs and reflects on his life, this man-after-God’s-heart declares the presence and power of the Spirit of God in his life.

Perhaps David’s words are not only declared but shared with wonder and amazement.

God plucked up a kid from a shepherd’s field and chose this runt of Jesse’s litter to be the king of His people. Clearly, God will use anybody. In fact, He seems to take particular delight in using nobodies from nowhere to fulfill His purposes.

The key to being used by God is to acknowledge it’s all done through, by, with, in, and for Him. We become useless to God when we begin to usurp even one smidgen of the glory for ourselves.

If God’s Spirit is in us, we must give Him full access to our hearts, minds, and tongues. This access simultaneously equips us for what He calls and protects us from seeking glory for ourselves. If His Spirit speaks through us, it is HIS word on our tongue.

If I desire to be used by God – to be a woman after God’s heart – then I yield it all to Him. Is His Word on my tongue? Is His Spirit speaking through me?

Women of God are women who may be called upon to praise, teach, encourage, mentor, discipline, coach, and advise. They are women who praise, thank, re-direct, and counsel. The words coming from the tongue of a woman of God should be prompted by the Spirit of God. That only happens as we deliberately, consciously, intentionally, and continuously yield our tongues, as well as our hearts and minds to His Spirit. For me, that means more of Him and less of Laura.

My tongue is often the best litmus test for how much and to what extent I have yielded. What about you? Is His Word on your tongue? Is His Spirit speaking through you? Would you like Him to? Would you ask Him to?

What joy will be ours to, like David, come to the end of our lives and look back in wonder and amazement to declare, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” And then to add, “Hallelujah! To Him be all the glory!”

This week’s Friday devotional video, Laura is joined by her friend Franni O’Neal, as they unpack Proverbs 10:19. We invite you to listen as they discuss “tongue-holding” strategies.

Visit our Downloads page for your copy of this month’s Write the WORD: Tongue bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. study pages, and more free resources.