Proverbs 10:11 begins, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life…” Three verses later we read, “Wise men store up knowledge.”

I am struck by the idea of “storing up” something in my heart, so that my mouth would become a “fountain of life.”

I was thinking about the life of Joseph in the Bible. God allowed him to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, predicting 7 years of bumper crops, followed by 7 years of famine. God allowed Joseph to have a part in urging Pharaoh to store up, so that in an economical sense they could feed not only themselves, but also neighboring nations who would come when times would get tougher. It seems like Christians are meant to be healthy, and in that healthiness, provide fruit to refresh and nourish others.

What are the things we typically “store up?” Food? Firewood? Retirement? Why do we store up? Obviously, we do this so that when harder times come, we will have something saved up to carry us through. The reality is tha life has ups and downs, and there are times of want, and times of plenty. Is it possible to store up praise in our hearts, so that when times of trials come, we enter those times with our “cup full.”

What about Christians? It seems that even in a land of plenty, Christians are becoming more and more Biblically ignorant, trading true meals for 5 minute snacks. (Listen to Christian radio and see how much teaching you find) If we are not eating right in times of plenty, what will happen when even harder times come? I fear we may find ourselves foolishly weak when we need to be strong – unprepared, unhealthy, and at risk.

Three of the many things that come to mind, that we can be storing up, are:
1. Praise – It seems praising and setting our affection on our Maker somehow restores our soul and gives us a sense of healthy joy. When trials come, we have learned to live a life of joy and trust, rooted in who God is
2. Knowledge: again, the key to fighting spiritual battles, and temptation, and doubts, and fears, and lies, and spiritual attacks, is to know in the depths of our soul the truths of who our unchanging God is (which leads us back to praise!)
3. love - I'm not sure exactly how this one grows. Anybody out there have any comments? Its probably the most important.

IF we possess these, even storing them up, then we may even feed others in the midst of incredibly trying times. If not, how will we have anything to say? One of my greatest fears is that I wouldn't have anything to say. Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Lord Jesus, please create a fountain of your Life in the depths of my heart.

Here's a video I found along these lines. It should play after a 15 second commercial.