Jesus, Our Guard; and the Holy Spirit, Our Watchman
7/7 Reading Portions: Joshua 9; Psalms 140-141; Jeremiah 3; Matthew 17
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
7/7 Reading Portions: Joshua 9; Psalms 140-141; Jeremiah 3; Matthew 17
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
LIPS
Though David was a man after God’s own heart, he was well aware of his own weakness. The same mouth which produces praise and thanksgiving unto the LORD God is capable of the vilest curses and the most ignoble blasphemies. James calls the tongue…
…a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. James 3:6
The sweet psalmist of Israel understood that he needed a power far beyond his own to not only honor Yehovah God, but also to keep His mouth from shame and his lips from dishonor. This needful service and protection are not merely for times of tribulation and persecution. We also need the Holy Spirit’s guarding power in times of peace and prayer, as this psalm begins in prayer and worship unto God (Psa 141:1-2). In Christ Jesus, we are given the blessed honor to be watchmen and doorkeepers of our Lord’s precious gospel. Yet speaking prophetically through David’s psalm, our exalted King and Redeemer lowers Himself to become the Guard for us through His eternal presence (Heb 13:8). Moreover, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) ministers to us as a Watchman so we may lean upon His power to overcome wayward lips. What love and care our Lord and God has for us! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Although I pray and worship You,
My speech may indeed slip;
But You, O Lord, must be the pow’r
To guard my mouth and lips.