DEVOTIONAL
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us, “The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” The children of God always need to be reminded of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves to the uttermost, and the warnings against false teachers who do not seek to divide the word of God correctly. God’s living word, The Holy Bible, is the perfect tool to give us the knowledge and the understanding, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to help us walk in harmony with The Lord. The world has its way of entangling us in its affairs, deluding the mind to the sinfulness of sin and the reality of its consequences. The Psalmist, speaking under the influence of the Spirit of God, tells us, “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore, I hate every false way.” It is the word of God that pierces the Christians heart through, arousing godly conviction over sin within the soul, awakening it to the truth, and then empowering the act of obedience and repentance.
The Apostle Paul understood this very clearly when he paused for a brief moment in the middle of his letter to the church of Philippi, saying, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” He had just reminded them of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, how God Himself, took on human flesh, being made in the likeness of man and though found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself to the obedience of death, even death on the cross. Not only that, but the Apostle reminds them of the supremacy of Christ, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that He is Lord. The apostle Paul, with love, proceeds forward to also warn them that there will also be many teachers who will come in with destructive heresies. Ungodly people who will turn the grace of our Lord into licentiousness, denying our only Master Jesus Christ. The Apostle sought to confirm and establish truth upon the young church through repetition, impressing the word deep upon the heart of each individual who would hear the letter read.
Today my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, may we intentionally put ourselves under the instruction of God’s word, laboring with all of the energy that He has given us to understand each book, while longing to please Him in every way. May we look for moments during the day, that we may steal away for just a moment, so that we might open up our Bible and breathe in His eternal words with great joy. Lord, please give us the desire to long to know you in a far greater way, not just by experience, but by your revealed truth. Teach us O Lord to allow your word to correct us, admonish us, destroying all pride, conforming us into the image of your beloved Son. May God’s word be a safeguard to us, as the ark was a shelter to Noah and his family in the midst of the great flood.