Speaking to Kings
“When you speak to the King of the universe in the morning, it’s easy to speak to a U.S. Senator in the afternoon.” – Dr. Dick Foth
When was the last time you were anxious about what to say? For most of us, the answer is, “Today!” The challenges of knowing what to say, how to say it, when to say it, and who to say it to are among the most common challenges you and I face. They are also some of the most anxiety-producing mental exercises and have the potential to create internal stress that begins well before the moment we actually speak and lasts well after we fall silent. Surely you can relate to the following forms of anxiety:
Before: “What can I possibly say that will do any good?”
During: “Is what I’m saying worth anything?”
After: “Did I say something wrong?”
We have all experienced that thought pattern, and in fact most of us experience some form of it every single day. After all, it is not just the “big” moments of speaking to a crowd or an important figure in your life that produce anxiety. Every conversation, big or small, has the potential to do so. That anxiety, in turn, is an effective tool the enemy uses to rob you of peace.
I know this from personal experience, but I also know from both experience and God’s holy Word that Dr. Foth’s reminder above is more than a cute phrase. It is a promise upon which we can depend!
In fact, this is one of those recurring themes in scripture, and when God repeats Himself, you and I ought to lean forward and listen:
“I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame” (Ps. 119:46).
“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” (Lk. 12:11-12).
“On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matt. 10:18-20).
“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (Lk 21:12-14).
The pattern is clear, and it comes from both the Old and New Testaments, and from Jesus himself:
You will be called before kings and people of influence (and of course you will also have everyday encounters).
You will be inclined to operate from a posture of anxiety in those moments.
You should be confident and resist anxiety because the Holy Spirit will guide you and willkeep you from shame!
What an astounding promise (and one repeatedly given)! You can live and speak confidently (gentle reminder: holy confidence is the opposite of arrogance)! You can totally reject anxiety, because the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit is promised to you, and you will not be put to shame!
My friend, much of this involves growing in the wisdom and maturity that recognizes eternal glory does not always fully circumvent temporary unease. Even so, talk to the King of the universe every morning (and I might add, do it unceasingly, per 1 Thess. 5:17)! Expect to be called before kings (and neighbors) in the afternoon! Lean confidently on the Holy Spirit, who will guide you in those moments. You will not be put to shame!
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.