For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
God’s Word is alive. It convicts, blesses, encourages, strengthens, directs and a million things more. It teaches us right where we are. Indeed, as the child of the King, filled with the Holy Spirit, reads Scripture it is as if God’s Word was sent just for them, directly to their heart, Amen? It scratches our itch, directs our paths, quenches our longings and sets our hearts both straight and free. It is the ultimate “Balm of Gilead” having the power to both soothe and heal. It is God’s Word to us. And it is magnificent. We are never, never to neglect its treasures.
All the promises of Scripture are for us. We do ourselves a great injustice by neglecting this sweet Truth. There are many promises to claim that He has written in His word to bring us comfort, to convict us of wrong paths, to console us in our losses – indeed, it is a well that we can bring forth overflowing buckets of His mercy and grace – and it never runs dry. The Holy Spirit takes God’s Word and sears them on our hearts as a farmer brands his livestock.
A humble heart is a great help in a profitable hearing or reading of God’s Word. Also, great anticipation that He will meet you right where you are. Ask Him to make it personal – and make it come alive to you. He is the discerner of all Truth. We are often self-deluded regarding our own hearts. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure”. We are so easily self-deceived, Amen? God’s Word takes a mirror to our hearts and convicts them - not to condemn but to change - for our own good and for His glory. And He gives us the power to do this – just sincerely ask Him. We are the ultimate losers if we neglect this great treasure. Trust me in this.
When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)