A Word Fitly Spoken

"Fitly." Outside of the Bible, we don't see or hear this word very much. Dictionary.com defines fitly as: "in a proper or suitable manner." The New American Standard Version may help us understand this verse: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Oh, so this means that saying the right thing, at the right time is a good thing! Got it.

Let's travel back to the days of King Asa. He was the great-great grandson of King David.  In II Chronicles 14, an army of a million soldiers came up against Judah. Asa cried out to God, and He defeated an army that was much larger than Judah's! Right after that great victory, a prophet named Azariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke to the king: “And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (II Chronicles 15:2)

He then gives King Asa a reminder from history, and finishes up by saying:

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” (II Chronicles 15:7)

Hearing these words, the king took courage, and set out to remove the idols, which led to a Spiritual revival. Isn't it interesting that God led Azariah to say these words right after a great victory? When things are going well, we tend to let our guard down, and get lazy. God knew there was a lot of work for King Asa to do. He used a little known person named Azariah to provide a word "fitly" spoken.

Let's ask God to use our words in the same manner- to give us wisdom to say the right things. Maybe together, our words will become like a bushel of "apples of gold."