I marvel at how the same verse of scripture may speak differently at various times in our lives. God may use a verse that prompts us to make a decision and later in life that same verse may direct us in another way. That’s because His Word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. The Message translation says in Heb. 4:12-13, “God means what He says. What He says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey Nothings and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.”
That being said, when we read the Bible, we need to have our ears open to what God is saying to us and respond in obedience. It is good not to try to read and digest large portions of scripture at a time but read it slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to make real what He is saying to us. I remember the time before Al and I were married, he was working one summer at his dad’s store and I was in nurses training. Both of us wrote to each other daily and Al’s mom would put my letter by Al’s place at the table when he came in from the store for lunch. That was his dessert each day! I would read Al’s letter’s over and over again and then slowly as I wanted to absorb all the love contained in them. It wasn’t a duty to read them but it was a delight and warmth to my soul.
We are not simply to read the Word but to meditate on it and savor it and let it penetrate our souls. It is powerful and it brings us into His presence and thereby produces changes in our lives.
Challenge for today: Take a small portion of scripture and meditate on it, letting it touch your soul and bring change where needed.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
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