*FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE DAILY DEVOTIONALS* _(February 20th, 2025)_ *DAY 51* *TOPIC: DO NOT SPEAK ANYHOW* _“And Joshua had commanded the people, saying ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, nerther shall any word proceed out of your mouth until the day I bid you shout, then shail ye shout"_ *(Josh. 6.10)* What a strange commandment the children of Israel were given at this time, "you shall not shout nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout, then shall you shout." Why were they given such instruction? They were given such instruction to avoid them making fearful, doubtful, or unbelieving utterances. first, the effect of praise and worship is easily frustrated or neutralized by negative utterances from the mouth. It is not possible to praise God on the one hand, then express fear, doubt, and unbelief on the other hand. If you are not praising for the situation, it is better you remain calm and controlled. The truth is that, if the children of Israel had been allowed to speak, the whole atmosphere would have been filled with doubt, unbelief and fear as it had always been their case when Moses led them. For this reason, God preferred they be quiet. The point is, if you are not going to speak faith, don't speak at all. It is better to doubt in silence than to speak out unbelief. Words carry weight in the spirit, and so if you are not sure of what you want to say per time, keep quiet. If what is coming out of your mouth is not in your best interest, then do not say anything. Second, they were asked not to speak because of their tendency to murmur, grumble, and complain. Where this is the case, it's impossible to praise and worship God correctly. Murmuring, grumbling, and complaining would fight the effects of praise, worship, or thanksgiving. So they were asked not to speak until the day they were asked to shout. Third, they were asked to keep quiet because words carry energy. Spiritual energy is transmitted via the vehicle of words, Our divine constitution (The Bible) says, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21). Every time we speak, we release physical and spiritual energy. That is why those who speak continuously are normally powerless, spiritually. God wanted them, therefore, to concentrate the spiritual energy in their system without speaking a word for seven days so that when they finally spoke, their words would come out with unusual power. This is your word today: Don't speak anyhow so that when you eventually speak, unusual results will be produced. *Prophetic Instruction:* 1. Go through what you have just read. 2. Decide not to speak unbelief, murmuring, grumbling, or complaining. Be loquacious only with positive words, and you will see results. *Prophetic Prayer:* Lord, help me with enough grace to exercise control over my tongue, in Jesus Name. *Nugget of Wisdom:* _"It is better to doubt in silence than to speak out unbelief"_ *Divine Empowerment:* Morning: 2 Cor. 10-13 Evening: Ps. 111. *Author:* Bishop Papa Frank Obinna Lloyd (PhD) _Prophet To The Nations_