Saturday, January 14, 2023
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
God’s word, in the hands of God
The word of God is living and effective.
Living – meaning it is born, grows, develops, matures, and dies. Except maybe not the “dies” part. Living – inviting more life alongside itself to share its space rather than enveloping and destroying everything but itself. Hmmm. Living – able to receive nutrients that keep it striving toward the sun.
Living is a word that requires definition. I don’t think I’ve even gotten started.
Effective – meaning it accomplishes what it sets out to do. Effective – an appropriate tool for a chosen task by an accomplished craftsman. Effective – work out, accomplish (as in “your salvation with fear and trembling”).
Effective doesn’t require so much word study. Its meaning seems clear.
The word of God is … sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow …
I just noticed something. Does “word of God” in Hebrews 4 refer to the Bible, or is it a more immediate “word,” one which we hear or do not hear at our peril, as Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Father speaks to us individually? And either way, this “word” belongs to God, to “him,” and God uses it. Not only do we use it, but God uses it too.
Whether this word is written or spoken, individual or for all of us, one important point is that it is God’s effective tool in discovering and uncovering truth in me, whether I have known that truth before or not. This word digs down and separates my soul and spirit, my joints and marrow. The word of God pulls them apart, so God can see inside to my true self.
The word of God is able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
God’s word shows God what he needs to know about us.
No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
This language implies dread at the exposure – something I don’t want, didn’t expect, don’t welcome, and can’t control. Therefore, in my fear and trembling, the author reminds me how great it is that we have Jesus as our great high priest. We need him. Without him we are blinded by God’s light and condemned by God’s law.
He is a high priest able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tested in every way that we have ourselves, but he has not sinned.
Jesus without sin can approach God when we with sin cannot. Jesus “has passed through the heavens.” We need not fear loveless justice. What we deserve is not what we get. Jesus will make sure of that.
Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
I feel grateful for time to spend thinking about this passage, which is not exactly poetic or directive. The word of God is living and effective. I think often this is used by men and women, far less heavenly than Jesus, to insist on naked truth and cruel pointless exposure by fellow humans. In their hands the “word of God” is their bible, no more and no less. But I think more importantly, the “word of God” is a tool for God. In his hands it convicts and blesses us, while in the hands of humans it too often condemns and curses.
Hmmm. Thanks, Lord, for opening up these verses today.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
(Hebrews 4, Psalm 19, Luke 4, Mark 2)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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