Key Verse: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even the to division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” For the next several devotionals we will be working our way through this awesome passage of God’s Word. This is one of the most famous verses in all of Scripture. Despite this very few people truly understand the intent that the author had behind this famous verse. The author had just warned the Christians that they must be sure that their faith continues. They must be faithful to Christ no matter the consequences. If they are not, they risk losing the reward of eternal rest in heaven. They must continue to believe. Why would the Christians of this time period be tempted to back out of their faith? It is because they have begun to face heavy persecution for their faith. Many are trying to revert back to Judaism which was an accepted and protected religion under Roman law. They would do this to avoid being put to the sword, or losing their head to the blade. Thus in light of the readers fear of death the author reminds them of the power of the Word of God, and why they should fear God more than the executioner’s sword. The first reason they should fear the word of God is because it is living. What does it mean that the Word of God is living? Here the author is speaking about both the Word of God as the Bible and the Word of God as Jesus (John 1:1,14). The fact that the Bible is living means that the Word of God meets us where we are. It can always find its way to us. This is both a scary and comforting thought. God always has a word to meet us where we are whether its a word of encouragement, or a word of rebuke is totally dependent upon the life that we are living. Today is God’s Word encouraging you, convicting you, or comforting you? It is the living Word. God wants to meet you where you are. The way He meets us is by us opening His Word, and allowing Him to meet us where we are. This is not always an easy thing to do, but it is necessary to make sure we are still walking the path of faith, and living like Jesus! Let the Word meet you where you are today and make a decision to submit to whatever God shows you today!
