Daily Devotional

I was born again and became a new creation in Christ on February 13, 1993—just two months shy of my 23^rd birthday.  I know for a fact that my mom helped pray me into the kingdom, and shortly after my conversion, she presented me with a Bible that I still cherish to this day.  On the inside cover, I drew a heart with the following words etched into it: “The Word is alive within me.”  30 years later, I still remember drawing that heart in my Bible.

Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is living and active.  What does that mean?  Because the words of the Bible are inspired by God—literally “breathed out” by him (2Tim 3:16)—they possess a supernatural quality.  It is not that they have an independent existence of their own apart from God, as if they were a created being like man or the animals. And the word of God is not God himself. That is why we do not worship the Bible. Rather, the word of God is the verbal expression of the invisible God. It is his self-revelation to mankind, communicating his thoughts, his will, and his character to us in ways we can comprehend. Because God is the living God, the words he speaks are infused with divine life and power, and they are capable of performing supernatural “work” in our lives.  They are not only living. They are active.

• The words of God are spirit and life (Jn 6:63)
• They are truth (Jn 17:17)
• They are eternal (1Pet 1:24–25; Mt 24:35)
• They are unchangeable (Jn 10:35; Ps 119:89)
• They are like fire (Jer 23:29)
• They are like a hammer (Jer 23:29)
• They make people wise for salvation (2Tim 3:15)
• They cause people to be regenerated (1Pet 1:23)
• They feed and nourish our spirit (Mt 4:4)
• They cause us to grow (1Pet 2:2–3)
• They are a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105)
• They teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness (2Tim 3:16)
• They cleanse us (Eph 5:26)
• They build us up (Acts 20:32)
• They equip us for every good work (2Tim 3:17)
• They never return void (Isa 55:11)

Today, as you read and meditate on God’s word, marvel that it is living and active… and don’t underestimate the effect it will have in your life.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.