With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (Isa. 6:7)
Expanded Passage: Isaiah 6:6-7
When the Lord called me as a young missionary and church planter several years ago to the kingdom of Eswatini, one of my immediate passionate prayer requests to God was for him to touch my lips and at least give me utterance in the local language of Siswati. I so greatly desired to engage and share the love and Word of God with the people of Eswatini in their native language. I was also eager to communicate with the elderly who would otherwise not understand the official English language or speak it fluently.
One night, I remember asking and humbly petitioning God once more, crying out, “If Jesus were physically sent to the people of Eswatini, what language would he speak?” Thankfully, that personal prayer was graciously answered in the years that followed as I continued to serve God on the mission field.
Both generally and as leaders, the greatest gift in our lives is to have our sins atoned for and our lips divinely touched. We have been given the opportunity to intentionally share uncompromising truth with our generation and empower others with timeless kingdom principles that enhance the kingdom come. As leaders, what comes out of our mouths must be a reflection of the wonderful work of salvation in our hearts. Our daily prayer, therefore, is for our speech to be seasoned with grace and truth.
Ask the Lord to touch your lips to speak the truth.
Jim Machuku is an ordained minister, lead pastor, and educator. He is passionate about leadership development and community transformation.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
