Isaiah 50:4 - Homilies By R. Tuck

Words in season.

The ability to speak suitable words, timely, wise, and helpful, is God's gift, and one of his best gifts, which we should covet earnestly. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver" ( Proverbs 25:11 ). We are often pleasantly, and often sadly, reminded how words which we spoke years ago lie in the memories of those who heard, and have exerted continuous influence for weal or woe. And there are few of us who look back over life without regret that golden opportunities for speaking helpful words were missed. "What awakened you? ' said a Christian minister on one occasion to a young friend. "It was what you said to me one evening coming out of the lecture-room. As you took me by the hand, you said, 'Mary, one thing is needful' You said nothing else, and passed on; but I could not forget it." It was a word spoken in the Spirit, and the Lord accompanied it with saving power. The words commended by the prophet are more especially those spoken to the weary; but Scripture connects a very wide meaning with that term. It includes

"Lost for want of a word—

A word that you might have spoken!

Who knows what eyes may be dim,

Or what hearts may be aching and broken?"

Words in season may be—

I. WORDS OF CHEER . Brightly toned. Full of hope. The words of those who can see the "bright side of the shield," and find a smile resting like soft sunlight on everything. In our "bearing" and our "doing" we feel thankful to all who can speak cheerily to us.

II. WORDS OF WARNING . Spoken by the far-sighted men, who can see the issues of our conduct, to which we are blind.

III. WORDS OF COUNSEL . Wise; prudent. The issue of large knowledge; quick observation; varied experience; established character.

IV. WORDS OF REPROOF . Brave words, that show us our faults. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend."

V. WORDS OF COMFORT . The human agency through which God gives us the resting of his "everlasting arms." Words are "out of season" when they are

They are always out of season when they find expression for pride of self rather than for care of others.—R.T.