“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Some years ago we were invited to train a group of eighty Christians at St Luke’s Church, Harare in Zimbabwe and then lead them on a mission to one of the country areas nearby, where we split into thirteen teams and shared the Gospel.
There was significant shortage of affordable food at the time so we took a truck load of provisions to be distributed for free. We also took a supply of Bibles which were to be sold at a modest price. It was immensely humbling and challenging to see the immediate queues to buy a Bible. There was a greater hunger for the Word of God than for food. No wonder the mission was an immense blessing.
I got to thinking that at home I had my Revised Standard Version, Authorised Version, New International Version, Greek Interlinear and Greek New Testament, to mention just a few. I needed to hear the Lord’s challenge to me. Do I take for granted what I am privileged to possess? Do I value His Word more highly than my material needs?
I need to go further in the light of the above verse. Do I allow and expect the Word of God to achieve its intended purposes in my life?
This Book, the Bible, channels the personal utterances of the living God that I might hear him, experiencing his transforming power in my life, because his Word is more effective than the surgeon’s scalpel in cutting out unwelcome and ungodly influences. (RS)
“Lord, your word shall guide us and with truth provide us:
teach us to receive it and with joy believe it.
When the storms distress us and dark clouds oppress us,
then your word protects us and its light directs us.
O that we discerning its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear you – evermore be near you.”
(Jubilate Hymns)