Day 43 - Wednesday

Day 43

 

"In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." Revelation 1:16 (NIV)

So now that we know the Word of God is like a sword, how do we handle this sword?  What do we do with it?  As we look at the life of Jesus, we see one famous example.

 

Jesus, having been baptized by John, affirmed by God that he truly was God's beloved Son, was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted of the devil.  Earlier in this series we saw that it was this confirmation and determination of his identity that prepared Jesus for his encounter with Satan. 

 

But how Jesus responded to the devil is what we need to take notice of today.  He countered every lie and temptation of the enemy with the truth of God's word. 

 

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'

Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 

Luke 4:4, 8, 12 (NIV, emphasis mine)

 

He did not try to battle the lies and temptations with his own thoughts, his own opinions, but rather he leans back into history and decrees God's words to counter the enemy.

 

Some presume to be able to battle with the enemy on their own terms, but to follow the Lord's example is best.  God gives us his Word as a sword, which we can use as a weapon.  But it is only a weapon designed for the enemy.  We are not to manipulate the Word to get our own way or control others, but if we are to fight with it, let it be for the destruction of the enemy's lies that we use it. 

 

Prayer:  "God, teach me to use your Word not for my own gain or against another person, but instead teach me to handle your Word with strength and dignity befitting it.  Teach me how to use it against the lies and temptations of the enemy that come my way.  In Jesus I pray, Amen."

 

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."

 

Day 41 - Monday

Day 41

 

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

The word of God is living and active.  Did you realize that the word, this beautiful, life changing word that we study everyday and listen to is a force to be reckoned with?  This word is not simply words on a page, but something birthed from the heart of God.

 

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

 

When God is speaking to us through his word and it stirs us, and we respond to his prompting, it becomes alive, living and operational in our lives.  Someone said once that we don't read the Bible, but that the Bible reads us.  We then get changed in the process. 

 

It is this activity that God's word takes on in our lives which Paul says is our sword.  Some people think that the Word of God is a weapon to be used on others, something to control others into doing what they want.  But we know that the Word of God is something living and breathing and makes a home on the inside of us.

 

It is this operation of the word, alive in the power of the Holy Spirit on the inside of us that becomes dangerous.  It will cut through all the pretense that we set up around our lives which we "think" protects us.  We might put our hope and trust in our economic status in life or where we were born, who our family is or what we look like.  But these things will not cover us.  Even our religiosity will not protect our hearts.  These are false armors.

 

The Word of God alone can strike the fatal blow to the enemy's plan in our lives.  But it will not be enough merely to read or study the Word, but we must allow it access to our hearts.  Allow it to change us from the inside out, and then it can remove those footholds of the enemy in our thinking and in our souls.

 

Prayer:  "Holy Spirit, make the Word of God come alive in me this day.  I trust that it can and will defeat the enemy in my life as I entrust my life into it's wisdom and truth.  Lead me by your Word this day.  In Jesus I pray, Amen."

Day 40 - Sunday

Day 40

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

The sword of the Spirit is the last accessory of the armor. We've been looking at God's defensive protection for the believer up to this point: truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation. No other piece is an offensive weapon, only this, the sword, is a weapon.

It is interesting that God does not give us an arsenal of weapons to fight with in the wars of our life. No, simply protects us and hands us a sword.

The word, sword, comes from a Greek word, "machaira" which means knife. It's a term used by modern scholars to describe a type of ancient bladed weapon, generally a large knife with a slight backwards curve. In some ancient texts, it can even refer to a surgeon's scalpel.

But this sword/knife is not just any sword. Paul tells us that the Word of God is our weapon. This weapon is a precise instrument. "Word" comes from the Greek "rhema." It refers to the utterance from God. This is the living word that comes from God to our heart. It is that moment we are reading the scripture and it comes alive to us. We know that we know it is true, and that it is speaking to our situation.

It is this that we use to fight against the enemy of our souls. When the word of God comes alive and we believe it, it becomes a power for us to defeat the lies and the attacks that come in life.

Prayer: "Father, thank you that you not only give me things to protect myself with, but also give me a weapon to fight with in the battles of life. I thank you that you speak through your word to me and my situations and as I stand in faith on these words, you give me victory. In Jesus I pray, Amen."

Day 39 - Saturday

Day 39

 

"Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."  Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)

"Savior

He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave"

- from Mighty to Save,

   by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding

 

That God is mighty to save is a theme we find in the scripture.  There is no length to which God will not go to save us.  King David said that he could go to the depths of hell and God would still be able to find him.  Why?  Because of God's love for his people, he is not willing to throw us away, when we fail and struggle with our faith, but rather he is actively working in our lives through prevenient grace, circumstances, divine appointments, and any host of avenues to help and protect us. 

 

We can trust that God is just as determined to protect our mind as he is to save our souls from hell.  This helmet of salvation that surrounds our minds is just another example of God's care and love for us.  He wants us to be free in our minds to believe and trust. 

 

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

 

Jesus is inviting us to cast all of our cares upon him.  Here he is telling us that when we displace worry and fear in our lives and replace with faith in him, he will cover us, meet our needs and fulfill our hearts and minds.  Let us allow the salvation, God's saving, keeping, protecting power, cover our minds.

 

Prayer:  "Jesus, thank you that you are mighty to save.  I believe that you are more than enough for me.  I believe you are covering me and strengthening me by your salvation.  Thank you.  In your name, Amen."

 

Day 38 - Friday

Day 38

 

"For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory."  Colossians 1:27 (NLT)

As we explore the idea of salvation and the hope that it secures for our mind, let us not forget that it is not something separate from Christ himself.  Just as he is truth, righteousness, author of our faith and the Prince of peace, so also is he our Savior.  He is the rescuer, the saving Messiah who comes to redeem us.  We can say like Job, "I know my Redeemer lives." 

 

Because he lives, and stands as our salvation, we can know that our salvation is secure.  There is much debate in the Body of Christ about whether or not there is "eternal security."  And on both sides of the debate, there are many scriptures to support both arguments.  But after reading the scripture for myself and studying it, I believe there is a better way of looking at it. 

 

I believe our salvation is more secure than we believe, yet within the confines of our free will.  Our human nature likes to put things into a category, who's in and who's out.  Religion continues to follow this theme, adding its own brand of spiritual labels.  Under the threat of losing our salvation and going to hell, religion seeks to control and make people "behave." 

 

But this fear-based, performance-based spirituality is not spirituality at all.  Jesus came to save us from all things that separate us from God.  Sin separates us, but also fear driven obedience to rules separate us too.  Jesus came to establish us in love, letting us for the first time get a glimpse of the love of God. 

 

Paul called it the riches and glory of Christ that was given to us.  And the best of all, this salvation allows Christ now to live within us by his Spirit.  We now can wear this assurance of his salvation covers us.  We now can live without fear of losing our salvation.  Perfect love casts out fear.

 

Prayer:  "Father, thank you that you have given me assurance of your salvation through Christ.  I entrust my life and my salvation to you and believe fear is cast away from me as I receive your love today.  In Christ's name, Amen."

 

Day 37 - Thursday

Day 37

 

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

Here is Paul writing to another church, the Christians at Thessalonica, and once again, he imagines salvation as a helmet.  But here he specifies the "hope of salvation."  The hope of our salvation is set in the belief that God has and is saving us. 

 

Hope is powerful.  Men and women can survive many things, but without hope to sustain them, the stamina to stand in the face of adversity quickly dwindles.  So what is this hope of salvation?  It is the hope found in knowing we have a Savior that is delivering us from sin, from death, from hell, from ourselves.  He saves us from the effects of a sinful world that wears against our mind by telling us there is no God and no future for the Christian.  It is our hope in this salvation that guards our minds in Christ!

 

The word "hope" comes from the Greek word elpis and is translated as "confident expectation."  This is a far more descriptive and accurate definition of the helmet that safeguards our minds.  When we place our hope in God and his promises for us, we find that our worries and fears about the future, and about our present situations as well, are replaced by the assurance that God is with us.  This creates the peace of God inside of us.

 

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

 

In Christ, we find that peace, because of his salvation is our portion in this life and will protect our hearts and minds.  No wonder that King David, the Psalmist, wrote that his hope was found in his Savior:

 

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

 

Prayer:  "Savior, thank you that you save me from my worries, my fears and my doubts.  Thank you that as I place my confident expectation in your care and love for me my mind and heart is set in peace.  In Christ's name, Amen."