“For the word of God is living 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. 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.” – Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
Does your Bible sit on a shelf or coffee table and collect dust? Mine has been prone to do that, sometimes days or weeks at a time. When I am in a Bible study, that helps, because then I am forced to open and look at it. But sometimes, it just sits. The amazing thing about it is that God’s word is living. Active. But sometimes I just let it sit. I don’t know why… you’d think that we would want to interact with something active and living. It’s not a dead word. Or a vacant blank word. It’s a word that is alive every day.
But I’ll be honest here. These verses used to freak me out. The writer of Hebrews describes the word of God as sharper than a double-edged sword, something that swiftly rips things up and judges everything in our hearts. Ouch. As if to further emphasize the point, the writer then goes on to remind us that God sees all, knows all, and everything is uncovered and laid bare before his eyes. And someday we must give account.
Although these verses make me very uncomfortable at times, I am reminded of several things. Creation was created by God’s word. Jesus rose from the dead because of God’s word. I am a Christian because of God’s word. Demons were cast out by God’s word. I am redeemed and loved by God and will be with him forever, because of God’s word.
God’s word brings salvation, healing, life, and all good blessings to my life. God’s word also shows me my sin and where I need to repent and turn towards Him. I see these verses as a reason to open my Bible frequently: God’s word is actively working in my life. I can see visible change in my heart and attitudes, the more I am in God’s word. I find strength, healing, discovery, and love, as I peruse God’s word. And I know that through Christ, I am covered with His blood, and my sins have been washed clean. I can live in freedom, knowing there is no condemnation because He died for me. That’s the best reason to get the Bible off the shelf and get into it. Give it a try and see how God works in your life!
Prayer– “Lord God, thank you for your word. Give me the courage to open it, read it, and follow it. I pray it will bring to light my sins, so that I may seek your forgiveness and be in a right relationship with you. Thank you for your word that saves me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 