March 1, 2023

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

The Lord Jesus calls each of His followers to be witnesses unto Him. But it is a fact that without the written word, we would not know about His miraculous birth or other details about His life, His ministry, His sacrificial death, His resurrection, and the promise of His return. The beauty and majesty of nature help our minds conceptualize something of the beauty, majesty, and power of Almighty God Himself. This may be so, yet the divine plan of salvation is laid out in His word. The essential truths expressed in God’s word, apart from the guidance of His Holy Spirit, cannot transform an impure and hard heart.

These work together: God’s written word explains fully the divine plan. And the Holy Spirit brings revelation to our hearts for understanding.

If you have ever been misunderstood, consider that our Creator has been misunderstood as well. But, rightly understood, the teachings of the Bible clearly represent the will and character of our God and His Son. Therefore, it is with confidence that the followers of Christ are to avail themselves to share the word with fellow human beings, teaching them to invite the Holy Spirit of God to preside over time spent in His word.

This fallen world has affected each one of us with impurities of thought and deed. Thank God for the purifying effect of His word, which, like fire, removes the dross of sin and its residue. So many have hardened hearts because of cruelties witnessed in this world of sin. Our own selfishness has a hardening effect upon our heart. Sometimes it is necessary for a heart to be broken before it can receive a transforming truth from God’s powerful love-letter to the world.

“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD. “And like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29