Ezekiel 2:8-9, 3:3 “Open your mouth and eat what I give you Ezekiel 2:8-9, 3:3 “Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe … So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

A Key Principle Though God’s voice might communicate bitter realities, His words are sweet to the taste, somehow sweet to the soul.

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:17-22) Jesus loved this man and desired that His words produce life and spiritual nourishment in this man who had gotten his priorities out of whack. A burgeoning faith was present in this man’s life, but there were other concerns that overshadowed this developing faith.

Another Key Principle Without being firmly and clearly rooted in love, truth-telling very quickly produces bitterness.

The removal of weeds that choke out the development of a mature faith can be a painful, bitter experience.

When it comes to God’s word, a reception of His conviction always evidences a victory of sweetness over bitterness. Though the initial uprooting of weeds is a bitter experience, it is always sweet to experience the eventual produce of good soil.

Am I weedy soil?

Do I have a root of bitterness within me? Am I more concerned with alerting another follower of Jesus to a perceived problem or am I focussed on partnering with them to find a solution? Do I find myself speaking truth in love or do I find myself preoccupied with just speaking truth?

Might we be those who are willing to permit God to walk us through the bitter moments of life and might we remain committed to walking with others through their bitter moments too. In all of this might we experience the sweetness of God; might we taste and see that the Lord is good!