And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake, and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. Matthew 9:33
A silly story is told of a little boy who had never spoken a word. His parents had taken him to many doctors, who could find no medical cause of the lad’s inability to speak. So his parents resigned themselves to having a dumb child. One day at dinner, the lad pointed to his plate and declared, ‘This meat’s too tough.’ His mother exclaimed, ‘You can talk!’ ‘Of course I can talk,’ he replied. ‘So why didn’t you ever say anything before?’ He replied, ‘Up until now, I haven’t had anything to complain about.’ This unlikely story is just the opposite of Christians who, until they are saved, have had nothing to rejoice about.
The demon’s power that had prevented the dumb man from expressing anything is similar to the power of sin that had prevented us from uttering anything of any real worth in our unregenerate state. We could talk about school, work and business; we could discuss family issues and neighbourhood news; we could discuss business matters and political scandals; we could tell jokes, complain about things, argue and debate, tell lies, pass on compliments, and sing the world’s songs. But we were entirely incapable of uttering words of true worship to the God Who made us and the Saviour Who paid for our redemption with His blood. Our recitation of Bible verses and our singing of hymns were empty sounds that came only from our lips and not from our hearts. What a great miracle it was when we were given the liberty to speak to and about the God of our Salvation!
The multitudes might well marvel when they heard the dumb man speak. This was no small miracle. We are not told what the man said, but it is most likely his first words were an outpouring of thanks to the Lord Jesus. That is the first expression that comes from those of us when we first are saved. And it should be the first expression that comes from us every day of our lives. There was much the man would have to say later. He undoubtedly told family members, neighbours, and everyone he know about his great delivery. And it is most likely that he spent much time extolling the greatness of the One Who had healed him. These should also be the occupation of every Christian, as we use our new ability to speak to spread the great news of deliverance.
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free. -Jim MacIntosh