A word to sustain the weary

The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are instructed
to know how to sustain the weary with a word.

He awakens me each morning;
he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed. (Isaiah 50:4)

I’ve been working on memorizing that verse the last few days, including just before reading today’s passage.

And as I read Acts 27 today, it struck me that Paul could have said those words.

God awakened his ears to listen as a disciple would. (Acts 27:23-24)

And he gave him the tongue of a disciple that could sustain the weary with a word. (Acts 27:25, 33-36)

That’s the kind of man I long to be.

Father, give me the ear of a disciple that hears your voice. And give me the tongue of a disciple that knows how to sustain the weary with a word.