Daily Reading: Hebrews 3-4
Scripture Focus: 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. (Hebrews 4:12)
Devotional Thought: Jesus is called the Word throughout the New Testament. The gospel of John begins with this assertion: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Knowing this gives even more meaning to Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active…piercing to the division of soul and of spirit…. and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Word is indeed living and active. It is living and active in our hearts if we are followers of Jesus, convicting us and changing us with its power. It is dreadful for those who do not believe… “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account,” (v. 13).
When we are in the Spirit, we have nothing to fear from the two-edged sword. As we are faithful to read God’s Word and strive for spiritual wisdom and understanding, we simply ask the Spirit to do the refining work in our hearts. The Lord has promised that his Word will not return to him empty, but it shall accomplish that which he purposes, and shall succeed in the thing for which he sent it (Is. 55:11). None will escape the power of the Word, as we must all give an account on our day of judgment. The wages of sin is death… (Rom. 6:23). The only question is, whose blood will pay for your sins? Romans 6:23 continues, “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This life is by faith, and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word. Amen!
Jenny
Prayer: Lord, we are overwhelmed with gratitude that you, in your great mercy, would allow your Son’s blood to cover our transgressions. Thank you that we can approach you, not with terror and trembling, but with confidence in your Son’s righteousness that has been given to us!
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 47.1-9
1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
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