For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Hebrews 4:12, 13
I have been thinking a lot lately about the incredible power of God’s word: The power to change a life, heal a wounded heart, guide, and reveal sin and wrong thinking!
I have always loved to read. From the first moment I could read- I did. More than once, thru the years, I have fallen asleep with my nose buried in a book. One of my favorite pictures of me as a kid is this picture of me sound asleep with a book open in front of me. I like it because it is an image revealing my love of reading. Of course, I could show you my overcrowded bookshelves and you would get the same idea😉
I was in ninth grade when God began to capture my heart for the word of God. I spent a number of months praying for a desire for the word and then voila! Before school, after school, and even during school, I spent time in his word.
Did I understand most of it? No definitely not, but over time and with a sprinkling of great teaching, I began to see the bigger picture of the Bible—a picture of man’s sin and God’s incredible plan to redeem man and his creation.
Even though there have been times when my heart has grown cold, the desire God gave me back in ninth grade for his word has always simmered quietly in my heart. And I am so thankful that God allowed it to continue to simmer through it all!
I remember hearing Howard Hendricks speak at the Cove in Asheville, and he said that God’s word is the owner’s manual for the believer. That resonated with me. I need an owner’s manual because I am completely lost without it. Maybe you feel that way too?
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
Unfortunately, we often forget to pick up God’s word to see what God wants us to do. We travel through life with only a smattering of truth, and then we wonder why life is so confusing and discouraging.
So, today my word to you, dear friend, is simple: get into the word of God. God wants you to love his word and desire to spend time in it. If you struggle to believe, the Word will guide you to faith and the truth. If you are sad, discouraged, and hurting, the word of God will show you what hope looks like. If you are wandering, purposeless, then the word will give you direction and instruction.
Hebrews 4:12 and 13 tell us, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Anne Farnum 