MATTHEW 6:5-15
Two well-known men spoke at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery dedication in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863. Former congressman, governor, and president of Harvard University, Edward Everett, was the keynote speaker. Regarded as one of history’s finest orators, he delivered a two-hour formal address. President Abraham Lincoln delivered a two-minute speech after him.
Today, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is well-known and frequently quoted, yet Everett’s words have virtually been forgotten. This is due to more than Lincoln’s lyrical brevity. On that day, his comments reached out to a people torn apart by civil conflict, offering hope for the future. His speech was able to serve as a source of hope for the scores of people who had lost it.
A meaningful sentence does not require a large number of words. The Lord’s Prayer is one of Jesus’ teachings that is both short and memorable. It reminds us that God is our heavenly Father, whose power is at work on earth as well as in heaven. For each day, He brings necessities of life, forgiveness, and strength. And He is worthy of all honour and glory. Nothing in our past, present, or future is left out of our Lord’s clear, concise and healing words.
It is so easy to use a lot of words but not give much thought to what we say. Let us willingly surrender our lips to the Lord, and our words will bless the hearts of men every day.
🙏 Let the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord.
