One in all my finest mates has a phrase she says loudly and sometimes: “The Phrase works!” It doesn’t matter what sort of prayer request I hit her with, that’s her response. And she or he’s proper. Sadly, scripture carries a novel energy that we don’t faucet into almost sufficient.
Take into consideration the final trial you went by, that final storm you weathered. Was your first intuition to name your mother for recommendation? Perhaps speak to your pastor? Vent to a good friend? Join counseling? These are all good choices—we want a godly group and knowledge from believers who’re extra mature than we’re. However I do know I’m too responsible of going to the Phrase later moderately than sooner.
I began pondering that reality—what holds me again? I know the Phrase is highly effective. I grew up in church, so I’ve a ton of verses available at the back of my thoughts, to not point out about 5 copies of scripture in numerous codecs. Hey, I might nonetheless discover Obadiah in beneath 5 seconds (thanks, Bible Drill!) I’m additionally comparatively fast to wish. However I’m not fast to crack my Bible, and I needed to determine why.
And I feel it’s as a result of my coronary heart waffles on what my head is aware of is true. My head is aware of that Timothy had it proper right here:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and worthwhile for instructing, for reproof, for correction, and for coaching in righteousness, that the person of God could also be full, geared up for each good work.
And so did Peter.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) …for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory just like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls, however the phrase of the Lord stays ceaselessly.” And this phrase is the excellent news that was preached to you.
I knew and agreed in my head that scripture teaches and corrects us, is everlasting, inerrant, and has a goal—many functions. However my coronary heart was struggling to maintain up with that reality.
Till lately.
My husband and I are in a tough season, the place we discover ourselves praying lots, In search of God for route, knowledge, and provision. Fortunately, our dangerous days hardly ever coincide, so we are able to take turns boosting one another’s religion on this space. (Generally, actually each different day!)
However in the future we crashed on the identical time. It was an ideal storm of hormones (largely me), exhaustion (largely him), and discouragement. We have been in additional than a funk. We have been in despair. I can’t even start to explain the load of the shadow hanging over us. Circumstances, certain, but in addition warfare. We sat on our again patio, speaking slightly, and my husband lastly stated he simply needed to relax out for a bit. Play the Wordle. Watch reels and disconnect for some time. Truthfully, I did too, however…the phrases that got here out of my mouth as an alternative have been “I feel we must always learn scriptures on hope.”
Hubby sighed however instantly opened his iPad and looked for verses on that matter. I sensed his discouragement. I felt it deep in my bones: ” Alright, however this in all probability received’t assist.”
It jogs my memory of Peter being informed to let down his internet once more after fishing all night time with zero outcomes. And Jesus watched as Peter obeyed, most probably with a understanding grin.
We caught 100 “fish” that morning on the patio. My husband wasn’t two sentences right into a verse from Isaiah when his voice cracked and his eyes welled. Mine have been fast to observe. He completed that verse. I croaked out “extra.” He saved studying. Verse after verse after verse on hope. As he learn, we might really feel the load lifting from our weary shoulders. Might see the shadows retreating. The sunshine is pushing by.
The ambiance modified. Our hearts modified.
We might breathe.
Peace invaded.
And that’s once I lastly grasped the true which means of this exceptional passage in Hebrews.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (ESV) Placed on the entire armor of God, that you simply could possibly stand towards the schemes of the satan. For we don’t wrestle towards flesh and blood, however towards the rulers, towards the authorities, towards the cosmic powers over this current darkness, towards the non secular forces of evil within the heavenly locations. Subsequently, take up the entire armor of God, that you simply could possibly face up to within the evil day, and having completed all, to face agency. Stand due to this fact, having fixed on the belt of reality, and having placed on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as sneakers in your ft, having placed on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the protect of religion, with which you’ll extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the phrase of God…
I learn that verse on the sword lots rising up and as a younger grownup, pondering “cool imagery, however…how? How will we take up the sword of the Spirit?” Now I do know. To wield a bodily sword, you must decide it up. You possibly can’t struggle a bodily battle when the sword is on the bottom. The identical goes with God’s Phrase and our non secular battles. You should bodily decide up the Phrase and begin studying. Out loud, in the event you can. (There’s simply one thing about studying and listening to your self say the Phrase on the identical time that causes deeper engagement)
That day on the patio, and each day, our battle wasn’t towards one another. And even towards the circumstances we confronted. It was towards the enemy camp. My husband and I fought that day and received as a result of we used the appropriate weapon. By the grace of God, we selected to place down the Wordle and decide up the Phrase…and it modified the forecast of our whole day. It modified every thing. Our circumstances would possibly stay the identical now, however our hearts aren’t.
Our hope was restored, by the Phrase—identical to Romans 15 promised.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) For no matter was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by endurance and thru the encouragement of the Scriptures we would have hope.
My good friend is correct. “The Phrase works!” And it’s not solely a sword.
Proverbs 30:5 (ESV) Each phrase of God proves true; he’s a protect to those that take refuge in him.
Solely God might organize one thing that cool. The identical weapon that lets us struggle to victory can also be the identical instrument that protects us: our sword and our protect.
And right here’s the place I get actually excited…
The Phrase can also be an individual.
John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV) At first was the Phrase, and the Phrase was with God, and the Phrase was God. He was at first with God. All issues have been made by him, and with out him was not any factor made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the sunshine of males. The sunshine shines within the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… And the Phrase turned flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we now have seen his glory, glory as of the one Son from the Father, stuffed with grace and reality.
Jesus.
The Phrase IS Jesus. We now have the Phrase in our telephones by our Bible app, the Phrase printed on pages on our bookshelf, and the Phrase in our very hearts, dwelling in us. God geared up us with every thing we have to struggle the nice struggle. We’re with out excuse.
So I problem you, pricey reader, the following time you’re stumbling in darkness, or end up in want, oppressed, discouraged, or with out hope, go to the Phrase. Go first. Go shortly. Go onerous. Battle with the weapons that assure victory.
And win the battle.
Belief me (and my good friend)—The Phrase works.
Photo Credit score: ©Getty Photos/FatCamera
