When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. NIV
My new concordance has 13 listings of the word, “worry.” In addition, it shows two listings for “worried”; four for “worries”; and finally three for “worrying.”
This verse is in that first list of 13, as are several others that I’ve already found pretty much on my own — with a little help from some of you. I’m working through that list.
This verse really strikes me when I look at it through the lens of my relationships with the children in my life. Years ago, when I was a scout leader, I learned that I could tell a child what to do, and there was a small chance that it might get done. The chance of the child taking action did seem to increase as the volume of my direction increased, but the relationship was not proportional. If, however, I combined the direction with a “because,” and if the “because” made sense to the kid, the thing would always get done.
“Please go and fill this bucket with water and bring it back here, because, we are going to start a campfire and, if it gets out of control, I want to have water to throw on it.” Buckets of water would always be faithfully delivered.
As I examine this verse through that lens, it becomes very special to me. My heavenly father directs me not to worry, because “The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.” The Message.
Wow.
365 Days of Peace 