A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23

Don't you love it when you say the right thing - in the right way - at just the right time? That is what our proverb is about today. It is about being wise enough to know when to speak - and not only that - but what to speak when you have the opportunity.

The beginning of this proverb starts with a Hebraism about the mouth. There is joy in having an answer of the mouth, which the way that this Hebraism would read. It has to do with the ability to speak well - or in this case to speak what helps others. When speaking of Moses' complaint to God about his inability to speak, this similar Hebraism is used. Moses complained to God that he had a "heavy mouth." This meant that he stuttered and stammered when he spoke. This speech problem made Moses think he could not be a spokesman for God. God gave him Aaron to speak for him, but we see plainly that Moses did not struggle to speak when the Spirit of God moved upon him to confront Pharaoh. The mouth of the man here in proverbs knows no such problem. He brings joy to others as they here the "answer of his mouth," which means the perfect thing to say in the moment. Whether this is a word of teaching, reproof, correction, or training in righteousness - the best word to speak is one that is in agreement with God's Word on the matter.

The prophet Nathan spoke the perfect word to David to bring him to repentance over his adultery and cover-up of his sin. Joshua spoke the perfect word to the people of Israel as they needed to decide whether they would serve the Lord. David spoke the perfect word to Goliath to remind him that God was going to give David victory because of Goliath's mocking of God. Daniel had the perfect words to speak to Nebuchadnezzar when he needed his dream interpretted. Jesus always had the perfect word to speak to detractors, to those who were hungry for his Word, and to those who came to Him needy and longing for God's grace and healing.

A timely word is delightful - both to the one who speaks it and to the one who receives it. There are so many who come to church hurting who need to hear such words. They long for a word of encouragement - for someone to lift them up. Others who are complacent and full of themselves need rebuke. Others still may need exhortation because they are timid about following the Lord radically. And a few who are long term church members, but who do not know Christ, need someone to love them by sharing the gospel with them so they can move from just being religious - to being Christians. No matter what the need, God will give us these "answers of the mouth." He will do so as we surrender to Him and desire far more to speak the truth in love - than just to engage in small talk.

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25

Lately our world has gotten crazier and crazier. Knowing what I know because of the reading that I do can really get a guy down. That is why today's proverb is an encouraging word to me - and a reminder that every once in a while I need to hear or read a good word. If all I partake of are words of doom, gloom, and despair over the condition of mankind - I will be overcome by dread. That is why it is a good thing to simply review the gospel - and the blessings of God in my life.

We are told that anxiety in a man's heart will weigh it down. The word for anxiety here speaks of the apprehension that comes upon a man because he sees approaching trouble. The interesting thing is that what this speaks of is anxiety over trouble that we cannot change. There are some things that we cannot change. When God speaks His Word to a nation like ours - and warns of impending judgment - we cannot change this. Therefore to dwell on such things constantly will weigh us down. When God speaks about foolish rulers and foolish societies that bury themselves in debt. When He says that there will be a day of reckoning where these debts will destroy that nation. But there is little that we can do to turn our nation around - it is counter productive to us to spend too much time worrying and being apprehensive about what is coming.

When looking at this verse I go back to the prophets who brought God's Word of judgment to His people. I consider Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel who prophesied disasters that were coming upon Israel and Judah for their sins. How did these men continue in their ministry without being weighed down and overwhelmed. First of all, these men were overwhelmed for periods. I am not sure anyone could not be grieved and weighed down by what these men were hearing. But, their focus did not remain at all times on these things. This would have caused unbearable apprehension if they did.

What allowed these prophets of God to stay sane was the fact that God not only revealed judgment (when necessary), but He also revealed a good word to them as well. Their messages were a mixture of judgment, and promises to revive and restore God's people. Their prophecies included wonderful words about the coming Messiah. This was the good word that would make their hearts glad. It was these messages that gave them something to look forward to in the future. We need those "good words" to buoy our spirits and help us to know that in the end God will indeed wipe every tear from our eye.

If you are depressed about the state of the church, nation, or world, let me take a moment and give you a strong word of advice. Every once in a while (and my advice would be daily - or at least every couple of days) take the time to remind yourself of the truths of the gospel. Take time to look at subjects like heaven. These things will help us maintain a healthy balance in our spiritual lives. If we don't do this we will have the tendency to be overwhelmed at the mess that is all around us. That mess can bring us down and even weigh on us to the point of depression. Remember the gospel. Remember the blessings of God. Remember the promise of heaven. This will serve as a good word that will make your heart glad. 

Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11

There are certain people who know just what to say at the perfect moment.  Something needs desperately to be said and they are the ones who usually say it.  Whether you know it or not, it is wisdom that gives them the ability to say these kinds of things. 

Like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Now there is something that is worth a little.  You can imagine this artwork as not only being beautiful to the eye - but also of amazing wealth as well.  It is the kind of thing one would hang on a wall as a decoration, but would also have listed as a very valuable asset too.  This is equated to how very valuable a word spoken just at the right time is.  This statement speaks of how appropriate words used just at the right moment in time can be invaluable to someone. 

We see Jesus doing this again and again in His life.  When attacked by the Pharisees and Saducees with a question they think is unanswerable without incrimination, Jesus speaks the perfect word at the perfect time.  This kind of ability and skill is a wonderful thing to have when counselling or when offering comfort to those who are hurting or have just lost a loved one. 

In order to be able to say these kinds of things we need to have an ear open in two directions.  First, we need to have our ears open to God.  He is the One who can give us the perfect thing to say - because He is the One who can see into every heart and know just what to say.  Knowing and being able to communicate God's Word in one-on-one situations is such a blessing to those who receive it.  But to know these kinds of statements, we must walk close to God.  Second, we need to have our ears open to those around us.  Far too many people are never able to speak these kinds of words, because they don't even know that others around them need to hear them.  So preoccupied are they with their own trials and troubles - or honestly with their own desires - that they don't hear the hearts of those who are struggling and in desperate need of a word of encouragement and edification. 

James encourages us to be quick to hear and slow to speak.  That kind of wisdom will allow us to hear others - to hear their hurts and their problems - so that we can apply the Word of God in a way that brings healing and grace to them.  It will be then that we can offer these apples of gold in settings of silver to those around us who desperately need to hear more than just words - they need to hear the right words - the perfect words for their circumstances.

Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away. Proverbs 27:10

Loyalty is an interesting thing - and something that is not as prevelant in our day.  Too often we don't really know who is living around us - and far too many of us don't have a group of "go-to" friends who will be there for us no matter what.  A wise man knows the value of true friends - and does not abandon them throughout all of life.

Here we see that Solomon tells his son to be a loyal friend.  Don't forsake your own friend - or even your father's friend.  There are blessings that come to us when we have long term friends.  They are there with us in the good and the bad in our lives.  The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that two are better than one - because they have a good return for their labor.  Two when laying down can keep each other warm - and when someone falls - it is always a blessing to have someone to help you to get up off the ground and back on your way.  But then Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, "But woe to the man who has no one to pick him up when he falls."  In closing we read that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Here is why it is good to maintain a loyalty to your friends - and even the friends of your parents.  You need people in your life to help make it strong.  This is especially the case when you fall and have difficult times in your life. 

Having close friends is essential in a society where we don't stay close to family any longer.  The strand ot three cords often cannot include close family - because we don't live close to them any longer.  That is why Solomon tells us that a neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away.  When tragedy and trouble strike - they often do so without warning.  In those moments we need someone who can come quickly to our side and offer us comfort and encouragement.  That is the moment when you need the neighbor who is near.  But those kinds of relationships have to be cultivated over time - and that requires both effort and time.  The onset of the television, the internet, and the world where videos and games dominate our time - has led to the lack of skills that are necessary to build long-term friendships - and much necessary fellowship.  We may be able to get an awesome score on whatever Mario game is popular today - or on Halo with some guy from Europe who plays online with us as we attack our imaginary enemies - but we don't seem to be able to walk next door and invite a neighbor over for a meal.  As a result we have multitudes of acquaintenences - but very few close friends.  As a result, we have weak support systems.  We are not a strand of three cords.  Too often we are a single strand just making it in our everyday lives. 

Take the time to make - and keep - close friends.  You probably won't truly appreciate all that they can bring to your life until the moment when you need a neighbor close - rather than a brother far away.  I do not think Solomon is being disrespectful to family.  Family will always come to your aid - at least that was the way I was reared.  But . . . my closest family member is 6.5 hours away.  Therefore I need a neighbor who is near in times of trouble.  They have been there when I needed them.  And their value to me cannot be measured in dollars and cents.  But it can be measured in comfort and encouragement!