By now, you’ve heard the stale joke about the monk who took a vow of silence? The stipulations were that he could only say two words every year and those words would be uttered before his superiors. After the first year he met with the board of vicars and they asked him, “What say ye?” “Food bad” he muttered. The end of the next year came and he spoke two more words, “Bed hard”. Finally, at the end of the third year the quiet man blurted out, “I quit!” to which the lead Vicar replied, “Doesn’t surprise me, all you’ve done for the last three years is complain, complain!”

What words would you choose to say, if all your life you were unable to speak and then, suddenly, you were given the gift of speech? What words would you say first to express your heart if the spell of silence were broken? So many people I know use their words as a megaphone of complaint not charity. Words are the paintbrush that exposes the heart.

On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse, who was the son of a minister, planned a dramatic presentation of his invention called the telegraph. Before many dignitaries he sent a message from the capitol in Washington to a railroad station in Baltimore. This first ever communique was the grandfather of all the texts, tweets, and blogs of our world today. Before I tell you what he said, may I remind you that every word you say is recorded by our God in heaven who one day will bring every “idle” word into account. Words - not just on social media or some momentous occasion but even the quiet whispers behind closed doors are heard and measured by God. Each word is a true reflection of your heart and the truest are, perhaps, those you guard as private. God hears them all.

So, are you ready for the “first text ever?” The first words ever recorded by electronic telegraph were these, “What God hath wrought” Numbers 23:23.

Odd? Maybe to you, perhaps, but not to Samuel Morse. The full text of that verse is, “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel, according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, what God hath wrought!” In other words, more familiar to us today, those last four words could be retweeted, “What a great work God has done or what a great God Israel has!” God would and will be glorified by all His works and words to His covenant people.

Samuel Morse later explained his choice of words by saying, “God has used me in this time and as His hand in this. I am not indifferent to the praise of men but I am more pleased that my Father in Heaven has allowed me to do something for Him. Not unto me but unto God be all the glory.” The first text ever was praise to God! What if we filtered all our electronic voice transfers by that measure? Does this post glorify God or elevate me? It would probably eliminate 90% of our social media talk. While it can be beneficial and certainly enjoyable to see words and pictures from our friends, may I encourage you to use the platform of electronic speech as a platform to praise God?

I know you aware of the truth that your words can and will be used against you. In Matt 12:34-37 we are warned that every idle (careless word) will be brought into judgment but please be sure of this as well, every word spoken with the Glory of God in mind will enjoy the blessing and favor of God for His Word is effectual and powerful. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us, ^“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”.

May the words that go out of our mouths be so inclined as well.