Ephphatha

SCRIPTURE:
Mark 7:34-37 NKJV - Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

OBSERVATION:
There are times in life when the Lord asks us to speak. Not in a casual, conversational way, but to say something difficult, challenging, and even uncomfortable. In these times, we need to hear the words Jesus spoke to the deaf and mute man.

Sometimes I find it hard to speak, like a mute who can’t find words. Maybe you’ve felt the same. When this happens, I start making excuses, believe them, and convince myself it’s not the right time. But when the Lord says, “Ephphatha,” He empowers us to speak. Although we don’t know exactly how long this man was deaf and mute—likely from birth—we do know he couldn’t hear or speak. If Jesus can restore hearing and speech to someone who has never experienced them, He can also give us the ability to speak when asked.

APPLICATION:
What has the Lord asked you to “speak?” Whatever it is, whether easy or hard, Ephphatha! (Be opened!)

According to the Outline of Biblical Usage, the Greek word Ephphatha means:

To open by dividing or drawing asunder, to open thoroughly (what had been closed)

1. of the eyes and the ears
2. to open the mind of one, i.e., to cause to understand a thing - to open one's soul, i.e., to rouse in one the faculty of understanding or the desire of learning
3. 
   

Something happens when we obey and speak our minds, and our ears are opened.
I love this! It tells me to speak, not to try to formulate, polish, or rehearse it (not that these things are bad), but to trust that the Lord will take the words HE asks us to speak and open ears and hearts.

We don’t know how God will use the words we speak. Just be sure they come from Him, and then go and speak. You will discover that the Lord not only opens the mouth, ears, eyes, and mind of the one you speak to but also yours.

As I write this today, I have two very important conversations to have. I need to speak, and I know the Father will: Ephphatha!

PRAYER:
Father, today I ask that you give me the boldness and sensitivity to speak the truth in love. Open my mouth and share what You have put in my heart. Today, Ephphatha my mouth, eyes, ears, and mind, and those with whom I come in contact!