For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Dad was the minister at our church, and every week he would
work on his sermon for the Sunday morning service. He also had to prepare a
Sunday night sermon, and a Wednesday night message. Dad was a very busy man. He
also worked very long hours at a car manufacturing plant, jogged several times
a week, planted summer gardens, did the yard work, and if there was any spare
time, he did artwork. Yes, dad’s hands were never idle.
To help out, when I was a little girl, dad gave me a job.
Every Sunday morning, while he was getting ready for church, he would have me
read his sermons out loud to him. It was not an easy task, because dad wrote
very small, in little bits, and pieces of fragmented sentences. Even though he
was an artist, his handwriting was very difficult to decipher. I would plod
along with dad filling in the blanks during my pauses. He never grew impatient
with me, but lovingly listened. I always felt honored to help him.
Later when I was an adult he said to me, “You know Jenny, I
had you do that job when you were a little girl, not for my sake, but for
yours.” Here I thought I was helping
dad, when in fact, he was helping me. Dad was nurturing me in God’s word, and
for that I will be forever grateful.
As an adult, I go to God’s word daily. I would not think for
going a day without rest, drink, or food so why would I want to neglect the
spiritual nourishment which I find in God’s word?
2 Timothy 3:16 says that the word helps to teach, rebuke,
train and correct. Psalms 119:130 says that the word brings light, and
understanding, and Proverbs says we receive wisdom and knowledge from the word. The Bible says that hiding His word in our
hearts will help us not to sin. Also, His word helps us find strength, peace,
joy, love, direction, and so much more.
Everything will pass away, but the word of God will endure
forever. In it we find the truth, and the truth sets us free. It is the bread
of life. It is a light for our path. Ephesians says that the word of God is our
sword, so in essence, it is our weapon.
We should not only desire to be in the word, but feel a need
to be in it every single day. Yet, there is one more thing. James 1:22 says,
“Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only
sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves.” We need to soak it in, apply it to
our lives, and let it spill out in love to the world.
Dear God,
Thank you for the words of life we find in you.
Amen
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