Whoever wants to benefit from... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Whoever wants to benefit from the Bible, the Word of God, must never overlook the fact that this Word judges us - and not the other way around. Many people think they can form their own judgment about the Word of God. The result is then, unfortunately, that many are hostile to the Bible. Others, on the other hand, make up their own interpretations instead of letting the words of the Bible have an unbiased effect on them.

Yes, even true believers lose many blessings, and their life of faith withers away, if they do not constantly expose themselves to the judgment of the Word of God.

And how then is it to be understood when the apostle Paul says, for example, in 1 Corinthians 10:15, "I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say"? In that case he appeals to the Corinthians' discernment, but he does not challenge them to question what God says.

The Word of God is indeed "living and powerful": God not only spoke to people then, when His Word was recorded. He still speaks today, every time it is read. And this living Word of God is "sharper" than any other weapon. Why? Because it addresses our conscience. It hurts sometimes, but the consequences are positive.

It serves only for our good when, while reading the Bible, we are shown the things in our lives that that are not consistent with His Word. Only in this way are we able to get to the bottom of wrong attitudes and change them with God's help. The poet of Psalm 139 understood the blessing of reading the Bible and applying it to his own life: "See if there is any wicked way in me," he asks God (v. 24).

Today's reading: Numbers 25:1-18 · Matthew 14:14-21