Verse: Hebrews 4:12-13
12 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. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Devotion
I have always loved these verses. In just a few short sentences we learn so much about God’s Word, and about ourselves.
Alive and Active: THE LIFE
This is such a profound description of something that is written. The Word is alive and active because the Holy Spirit is constantly leading us into all truth (John 16:13). You can read the same passage over and over throughout your life, and each time it will speak differently to you. This is one reason we read the Bible daily. Not because we love to read ancient texts. But because we love God! We love to hear his voice and feel his touch. And he routinely speaks his life to us through his Word.
Penetrating Our Heart: THE TRUTH
There is something about the Word of God that sneaks past our defenses and gets into our hearts. As we read the Word, and (as one author said) let it “read us”, we are challenged to a level of honesty with ourselves and God. The Word puts our motives and attitudes on trial. What is motivating us? Is it people pleasing? Comfort? Or discipleship with God? What is driving us? What is our deepest desire? The Word penetrates past our “pat” answers that we tell others (and even ourselves) and digs deep to the truth of who we are, what we fear, and what we hope to become. And it offers to speak the Word of Truth to our hearts, breaking down the lies we can easily fall into about God, ourselves, and others.
The Great Clarifier: THE WAY
The Word also reveals and “lays bare” all things. When we are feeling murky about direction in life, or decisions we are facing, we can go to God’s Word. As the Psalm says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Word doesn’t only speak to moral clarity in our lives (which of course it does), but more importantly speaks clarity for our relationship with God and others. It teaches us the way of Jesus. It cuts through all the alternative paths that the world offers, and speaks a better and truer word for our futures. It speaks of who we were created to be, and how we can make a difference in this world.
So much is hidden, buried like a treasure, in the Word of God. It sits before us like an open invitation to a rich and life changing relationship with Jesus. Each day we can connect with Jesus through his Word, and find his life, his truth, and his way. And we can live in those every single day.
Prayer
Show me the way, the truth, and the life. And lead me into all three with your Word.
Author: Christian Dunn
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