The Word That Gives Life

“So, commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these Words of Mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home, and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed, and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors” (Deuteronomy 11:18-21)

Welcome back dear student, continuing on from last week and the legacy of generational faith. God tells us to remind ourselves and remember His Word, memorise it, meditate upon His promises, and teach our children about His Faithfulness.

Why?

As we deposit the Word in our hearts, it becomes stored up ammunition and body armour for every battle. Some believe that ignorance is bliss - not when facing the enemy though! “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The battles we endure shape us – they can strengthen or flatten us. If you were to look back over the hard times in life, I’m sure you can acknowledge how God carried you in His Mercy. There is something powerful about being prepared (2 Samuel 22:35-40). It’s a horrible feeling facing situations with only your own strength to lean on. This is why many struggle with fear and anxieties.

But with God in your corner, victory is assured, no matter how tough the warfare. "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1). The comfort of His promise and His Presence eliminates fear as we learn to receive His Love (1 John 4:18). “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me” (Psalm 94:19). Challenges and difficulties separate the men from the boys, in spiritual matters as well as in the natural. We live in a world where delusion and lies, strife, jealousy, bitterness, corruption, and wickedness are tolerated - and even promoted.

We need discernment to know which way to go, and whose report to believe - the difference between the truth and lies. True discernment comes from relationship with God through the wisdom of His Holy Spirit with His Word as navigation. The Lord Jesus rebuked His disciples for their doubt and unbelief. He warns us to take heed to what we are hearing, and how we hear it. We tune in and out of various things – but not all these are true, and we may not understand the whole story. It is only by hearing from God’s Spirit Who knows all things, that we stay on the right path and find rest (Jeremiah 6:16).

Jesus noted two pathways - one is wide and easy: it’s the pathway to destruction that many folks find - often following others who have led them there. The other is a narrow, difficult path. Not many travel on it, because it requires discipline, humility, and obedience (Matthew 7:13-14).

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to My Words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are Life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:20-22).

Read that again friend - life to the whole body!

As we incline our ears unto God’s Word - paying attention to His commands, guarding our hearts against strife, anger, and toxic stress, our bodies respond by receiving healing. This is the outflow from relationship with God. Through the Blood of the Lord Jesus His Son, God has given us forgiveness and peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace - the Word of God, Who was made flesh for our Salvation.

O Lord God, teach us to remember and learn Your Word, that we may flourish in peace, rejoicing in Your Presence forever, in the Mighty Name of Your Son Jesus we pray, Amen.