When I receive a new letter from Nelly, I have a big smile on my face. By the end of the letter, I have tears in my eyes. I love hearing how much she loves me from across the globe. Those letters deeply connect me to Nelly in ways I never thought possible.
Nelly's last letter got me thinking about an even better letter, God's love letter to the world. His love letter to me...His love letter to you. If I cherish, anticipate, and believe the words from a distant friend, how much more should I do the same for God's message to me!
The Bible is infinitely more intimate than any message we receive because God faithfully loves us infinitely more than anyone ever could. God is the Word. The Word became human flesh, Jesus (1 John 1:1). God’s Word lived and walked and talked among us. The Bible is how He chooses to communicate His Truth and grace to us (1John 1:14). But to be honest, sometimes I don't treat it as such. When I reach for my Bible like I have every day for as long as I can remember, I forget what I'm taking hold of.
Here's the challenge. Next time we open God's Word, let's pause, pray, and remind our hearts what we are about to read. God's word is timeless, living, powerful, and full of only Truth.
What does that mean?
We can read it over and over and always benefit from it.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
It is actually God's own voice talking and moving in us.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
We don't have to question if God really means what He says or wonder if He will follow through on His promises to us.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus]. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 1 Corinthians 1:20
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4
It is the most important thing we will ever read because by hearing and trusting it, we are saved.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. 1 Peter 2:3
We do not have to fear the future because God’s Word will never fail us.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
God was thinking about us when He spoke it through His appointed authors.
All Scripture is breathed out by God. 2 Timothy 3:16
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. Psalm 40:5
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. Romans 9:7-8
We can reorient our lives around it and never feel empty or dissatisfied.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word…Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:9, 105
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
Our "truth" or emotions never trump its Truth.
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Through it, God actually changes our desires which changes our actions, the decisions we make, and the course of our lives.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness 1 Timothy 3:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds. Hebrews 10:16
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8
We can use it to defeat sin and redeem lives.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
No letter can ever compare to God's letter. Although we do not see Him, we can trust Him. Although we have never spoken face to face, He is closer to us than our dearest friends. Although He communicates through words on a page, those words are more real, alive, active, and powerful than all others.
What a precious gift the Lord has given to us. His Word will never run dry or become useless. May we continuously refresh our hearts and minds in the beauty and light of scripture.
What a precious gift the Lord has given to us. His Word will never run dry or become useless. May we continuously refresh our hearts and minds in the beauty and light of scripture.
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