Day 42 - Tuesday

Day 42

 

"God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey." Hebrews 4:12 (TMSG)

We see here in this passage, that the sword, the Word of God is not meant simply as a sword to played with or to be carelessly used, but rather its primary job is to get to the heart of us who wield it.  Its goal is not to slay others, though the enemy is routed by it and we will see that later.  But its first directive is to open up our hearts.  It is to divide within us that which is spirit and that which is of our own devices.

 

Maybe this is why Paul calls upon the leaders of this new movement of "the Way" to rightly divide the word of truth.

 

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

 

That word "dividing" means to make a straight cut, to dissect or expound properly.  That sounds like a sword's job to me.  But notice in the Hebrews 4 scripture, this cutting is happening in us.  The word is a sword or knife that cuts through all that life has tried to force us into being, through the failures and the successes, the friends and the betrayers, the lies and the truths we've heard.  All these have shaping power in our lives. 

 

But the Word, when we allow it access into our lives, it becomes a knife to cut away all those things that are detrimental to us and leaves us open and receptive to the voice of the Spirit of God.  Surgery can be scary.  A knife to the heart of our being is not something we would look forward to.  But our Father is a master at bringing us to him. 

 

I am reminded of a movie quote from the Kevin Costner movie, Robin Hood.  The scene is this:  the villain, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Robin are fighting.  The Sheriff had killed Robin's father with the father's own sword and was now taunting Robin that he would kill him with the same sword.  Robin Hood makes this statement that has stuck with me since I heard it:

 

"I shall never fear my father's sword."

 

Today, as we allow the Word, our Father's sword, cut away those things that stand between us, let us not be afraid, but trust that He who created us does all things well.

 

Prayer:  "Father, once again I come to you in trust and faith, believing you have my best in mind.  I believe your Word will work in me and remove those things that are not beneficial to my walk with you.  It will heal as it removes sins and falsehood and it will draw me ever closer to you.  In Christ's name, Amen."