Checking Our Filter

Psalm 19:14 (CSB)

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

This past Sunday at church, the worship leader read this verse aloud as a part of our worship. I have heard this verse hundreds of times, but for some reason, it made me pause.

These words from Psalms invite us to consider the spoken and unspoken; what’s heard and not heard, what’s visible and what’s secret. When I think about it, it’s a prayer to be exposed, to see what’s beneath the surface. Does what I say accurately reflect what is in my heart and mind? What’s the process that creates the connection?

Since my college days, I’ve been a coffee drinker. My habit has been to prepare the coffee the night before, so when I wake up, I walk into the kitchen, smelling the inviting aroma, and pour myself my cup of java. I use an automatic coffee maker that requires a filter. The filter is where the grounded beans wait to be turned into the smooth, dark, delicious drink I enjoy. The filter matters. It’s where the connection from inside makes its way outside.

In the same way, what I am meditating, thinking, and rehearsing in my mind will result in what comes out of my mouth. The common phrase, “think before you speak,” comes to mind. If my thoughts are negative, critical, and not true, I will find myself saying those things.

However, if I set up a “filter prayer,” like this verse, I will consider if what I am thinking is lining up with Philippians 4:8, “whatsoever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” May we consider the filter we are using and ask God to help us.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your transforming power as we ask that our words we speak and the thoughts we think “may be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, Our Rock and Redeemer.”
In Jesus' Name, Amen.