I have been thinking about this verse on and off through the day and the more I do, the more I realize how especially relevant it is to the time we are living in.
I think “apt answers” and “words in season” can take at least two forms:
First, can we speak a better word in season to those who do not know Jesus than to tell them about Him and His salvation? Several in the church have been given wonderful opportunities over the last week or so to share the gospel with unbelievers. Without exception, they have all been blessed by the Lord in doing so and have related their stories with great joy! Isn’t it amazing that the Lord saves us by His precious blood, puts His word in our hearts, creates opportunities to tell others what we have experienced, enables us to overcome our fears and anxieties and then blesses us with joy as we do so? How gracious He is!!!
Second, we can be engaged with our brothers and sisters in a ministry of comfort and encouragement - as we heard last Sunday, one reason the Lord leads us through difficult times, and comforts us in them, is so that we can comfort others with the same comfort that we ourselves have received. And when we speak to those we love in Christ, and He gives us a word in season or an apt answer, we know that it has come from Him and that He is using us in this really important “one another” ministry of encouraging, strengthening and comforting - and that is a really joyful thing!
There is none of us who has a personal relationship with Jesus, yet has no words they can speak to bless others outside or inside the church. We are all stewards of comfort that the Lord has poured out upon us, so we can all engage in this ministry to others. It’s one facet of spreading the joy of treasuring Christ in all of life - and according to the verse above, there is a reward for us as we do so - we experience joy as we spread that joy to others!
Let’s challenge ourselves in the coming days to ask for, and to look for God-given opportunities to speak words in season and to give apt answers by His grace. We will find that He is true to His word and will fill us with joy as we do so!
