Proverbs 25:15 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.” (Proverbs 25:15 NKJV)

The tongue doesn’t have the crushing blow of a hammer to smash a hard object like a bone. But, by the gentle pressure of the word it speaks over time by patience can bring about the same result: it breaks a bone! This statement demonstrates the power of soft and gentle words as opposed to harsh and abrasive words. Words that a tongue spits can break or make, so to speak. In time, like the persistent water drip softens a rock. So too, gentle whispers soften the heart. Borrowing the context of an adage: "Words are more powerful than swords."

This passage tells of the power of persuasion over a ruler or authority or a person of might. At some occasion in this world, we watched harsh rulers that need hash words or demonstration or even rebellion to be persuaded to change the way they rule. But, this passage tells us that God’s way is with forbearance. And, the same result can be done by the power of gently spoken words. So, it is in every aspect of general interaction with all types of people in our day to day living. In Christ Jesus, having Lordship of our life, we are given the gift of patience and gentleness. And, the Holy Spirit helps us when we call.

This passage aptly reminds us. We at times could be coaxed to react by impulse and blurt unintended words. As members of the body of Christ by grace through faith in Him, gentle words are our tools of persuasion, always. In the scriptures, Nabal a haughty rich man angered David who at that time was in fighting mode. He was being pursued to be killed by the jealous king Saul. But Abigail, the beautiful wife of Nabal, found her way to intercept David who was on his way to massacre Nabal and his men. 

She persuaded David with her gentle words. It is written, Abigail said to David: “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my Lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my Lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my Lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my Lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my Lord success, remember your servant.” David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.” Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”” (1 Samuel 25:28-35 NIV) 

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)

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