Be Opened

He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 

— Mark 7:34-36

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

This man could not hear and could not speak until he came face to face with you. As you looked to heaven, you opened your mouth, sighed deeply, and said, "Be opened." Once those words left your mouth, his ears were opened and so was his mouth. This man began to speak plainly. And I suspect his first words that left his now open mouth were words of gratitude and praise followed by a testimony of what you had just done. Those who were watching and saw the miracle that took place were commanded by you to not tell anyone, but now their mouths were opened, too. They began to speak plainly and they kept talking about what you had done. And the more you did, the more their mouths were opened, the more they spoke plainly, the more they kept talking about it. You opened your mouth so this deaf man could open his which caused even more people to open theirs.

Lord, all too often I keep my mouth closed about the miracles you have done. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's to minimize any risk of being misunderstood, of being viewed skeptically, or just being thought flat-out crazy.  But you have opened my mouth, loosened my tongue, enabled me to speak plainly, and released me to keep talking about the amazing things you have done.

Gracious Lord, forgive me for closing my ears to Your voice and for closing my mouth to my testimony.  May my mouth be opened today. May I speak plainly to those I encounter. May they see the glorious work You have done and have their mouths opened too and keep talking about it!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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