Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Today we are reminded of the importance of the Word of God. If we ever expect to do anything for God, or even walk with God Almighty, or call ourselves Followers of Christ, the Word of God must play a big part in our Lives!
The Word of God is what gives us our faith to believe in God and to be saved to begin with, as we know from Romans 10:17. It is what teaches us what the Lord Jesus says, so that we may be actual followers of Him — If we don’t know what He says, how can we follow Him? The Word of God is a HUGE help for us to just simply live for Him, and work for the Lord.
As we know from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” the Word is like a polishing cloth for His People. It helps to guide us and teach us, and is the way for us to be perfected in the realm of our walk with God and knowledge of the Lord God. (Not perfect as if we no longer need Jesus, but perfect as in walking upright with the Lord, knowing the will of the Lord, no longer stumbling, and being mature in our spiritual life.)
Today’s verse reminds us of something that we mustn’t forget about the Word of God. Our Lord’s Word, is quick and powerful! Now, quick does not mean fast. Look at all occurrences of the word Quick and you’ll truly see how quick means Alive (most notable in Ephesians 2:1). The Word of God is ALIVE and POWERFUL! Many people believe the lie that the Bible is old and out-dated. Supposedly it has no relevance for today’s society. Yet, most of those who say that, say it because they haven’t even read it! The Word of God, talks about things and situations that truly we see today in this day and age. Nothing has changed, they dealt with the same troubles we deal with today. The only difference is that we are closer to the Lord’s return, and perhaps the troubles have escalated, but they haven’t changed, nor have the answers to those troubles changed!
However, getting into today’s verse, let’s be reminded that the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword! The Word of God constantly describes itself as a sword. Why? Because it is not something useless, nor is it something that sits still . . . Notice that in the armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18), the Word of God is the ONLY offensive weapon listed (unless you consider prayer and supplication to be added to the armour . . . which some believe it could be considered a lance/spear that was part of Roman Armour, which really does sound right because prayer and supplication truly can be a long distance, offensive weapon against the devil)! The Word of God, is not something that can be neglected as we fight the good fight of the faith. Can you imagine a soldier going out to war, with no weapon to fight back, only a shield/armour to protect from when he or she gets hit? That war would never be won, because all the soldier could do is stand there, or move forward, but never fight back. They’d have to wait until the enemy gives up . . . and how many of us have ever seen the devil give up in his attacks? He doesn’t give up! He’s a persistent pest who knows his time is short so he will definitely not give up!
But the Bible is called a sword, because it’s something we FIGHT back with! How do you defeat a fire? With Water . . . How do you defeat a lie? With the Truth . . . How do you defeat doubt? With the very thing that gives us faith . . . How do you defeat temptations? By the very thing that sets us free, which is the Truth, which is the Word of God! Remember how even Jesus defeated and shut Satan up in the wilderness: By using the Word of God. But be careful, the devil has read the Bible too, and he knows it! That’s how he can twist it to deceive so many people! That is why it’s important that we become skilled in the Word of God, rightly able to divide truth from lie, having proper discernment (Hebrews 4:13-14 and 2 Timothy 2:15).
Continuing on though in today’s verse, let’s be reminded of these things: Faith, and rest in God! When we stay in the Word of God, we will truly find rest in God. As we’ve been looking at actually working for our Lord these past few days, we have to remember that the Lord isn’t wanting us to work ourselves to death! When we work for the Lord, we have to remember and realize that if we are stressing ourselves, or causing ourselves to become so tired and worn out . . . something must be wrong! We are either trying to do too many things, and things that God really doesn’t want us to do . . . OR . . . we are not spending time with our Lord, and in His Rest!
The chapter before, and also this chapter (Hebrews 3 and 4), talk about entering into the Rest of the Lord. However, it mentions that it would be impossible to do that, unless we have faith. This indeed ties in with the Word of God, as we look at it today. We cannot have faith without reading the Word of God. Therefore in order to rest in God, we need to have faith, and to have faith we must read the Word of God (and not just read, but truly let it enter into our hearts, by letting the Holy Spirit give you understanding according to what you’re reading – PRAY each time you read His Word). So the Word of God, truly does give us rest. It’s not just about fighting, and working for the Lord, but also about resting in knowing that God is God, who is Able! That is how we enter into rest, while still working and fighting for God. As we read His Word, we learn more and more about just how the Lord is not some distant entity who doesn’t understand us, but rather how He understands us more than we even understand ourselves, because afterall . . . He Made Us! Let’s read after today’s verse, Verses 14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed unto the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
When we truly learn and can grasp how the Lord our God, the Lord Jesus, truly knows what we are going through, and has indeed made the way to the throne of grace open to us, we can rest in knowing God can and will help us! He will help us when we are in our valleys, in our pits, and in our storms. He will help us with we are on top of the mountains, walking straight, and in calmness . . . Through good and bad, He knows exactly what it is like, and He will never turn down our plea for Help, if we make sure to listen to what He says to help!
Rest in God . . . God knows we need the rest amidst all that we must do and endure in this world of sin! Stay in the Word of God, and find the Rest God has for us! It’s so very important that we never forget such an important thing!
I love you with the Love of God, and do keep you in my prayers! May God Bless you, and cause you to enter into His Rest! I pray that your day is a wonderful one, and I will see you tomorrow!
Love always in Christ,
Your friend forever,
And brother,
Michael
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Psalm 107:20 “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
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