05/08/2021
Is the Word of God alive in us? Do we value it like fine gold, but seek to hold it close to us like a warm and breathing newborn infant? So often we look at the words on a page, or computer screen, and lose sight of their power, and the life in them. God’s Word is more that ink, or a Pixel on a screen... it breathes life into us, and as we study, and pray, it becomes the voice of God within us. When we incorporate it into our prayers it instills His will into our desires, and heals us with His touch... can we truly say that God’s Word is living in us?
“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 ESV
God’s Word is more than just His voice, it is alive, active, piercing, everlasting, settled in heaven, our sustenance, spirit, life, a light to our path, wisdom, singing, a blessing, equipping us with all righteousness, a sword against evil, it is each and every one of these things, and more, but most of all it is truth, and God Himself.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 ESV
How wonderful it is when we bring God’s Word into our prayer closet, and fold it into our own words of prayer like leaven. When praying God’s own Word with ours something amazing happens... we find ourselves praying within His will, and our spirts are lifted up as the dough of our faith rises to form the loaf that sustains us in a good and righteous life.
“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””
Matthew 4:4 ESV
And when we pray the Word of God much happens in the kingdom of God, our lives, and the lives of those around us. It is the fuel that heightens the flame of life in us, and brings to light God’s perfect will.
“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 55:11 ESV
I read the following words this morning in my devotional reading, and it emphasized what I have written here; listen...
“Prayer is like fire. The fire will only burn well if it is kept going with a viable fuel. God’s Word is a powerful fuel that must be carefully and powerfully studied, taken to heart, and lived by.” - Andrew Murray
So... Today when we pray let’s bring God’s Word into our prayer closet with us, and knead it into our prayers... bringing the life and truth of God into the dough of our own lives, and desires.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word, and the life that it’s truth brings us. Thank you Lord for allowing us to use your Word as our means of remaining within your will as we pray; and in this way to insure ourselves that our prayers will return to you with your own to accomplish your purposes. We cannot live by bread alone, and need the leaven your Word adds to our prayers to sustain us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who we find living, and moving, within your Word, even as as you act upon us, in the roar of a mighty wind, a rumbling deep within the earth, or a still small voice. In whichever voice you choose to speak your Word, we receive its righteousness, grace, the breath of life, and all your many blessings. Praised be your name for the wisdom we find, and the hope that you reveal to us regarding the return of your Son Jesus. We long to hear your voice on that day of our resurrection, as you speak in power, and we sing in joyous celebration. We long to hear you say “This is my child in whom I am well pleased!”
Wash us clean in the blood of Christ Father, and prepare us for the great resurrection feast. Tell all who doubt our worthiness about the redemption of your Son Jesus, and say “It is fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this my child who was dead, and is alive; who was lost, and is found.’” Seat us then at your table and let us worship you forevermore as we sing and quote your Word! Until that day, keep your Word in our minds, on our lips, and in all we do.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.”
James 1:22-24 ESV
Rich Forbes