Three things God’s word will do for you

“Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart,” Jeremiah said (Jer. 15:16). Job said that he treasured the words of God’s mouth more than his daily food (Job 23:12). The prophet Amos foretold of a famine in the land, not of food, but of hearing a fresh word from Heaven (Amos 8:11).

There is active power in the word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Both the written word (logos) and the spoken word of God (rhema) are transformational. Here are three things God’s word will do:

Cleanse

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you,” Jesus told His disciples (John 15:3). Christ presents the church as spotless, having “cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:26).

The world sullies us, leaving a greasy film over our thoughts and outlook. The word of God cleanses us, bringing us into repentance and “right thinking” again.

Heal

“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:20-24). Jesus often healed with a single word, including the centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:8, 13).

Amazing testimonies of physical healing have come from people who meditated on God’s word. I can personally attest to radical recovery from illness after ingesting God’s word.

Strengthen

“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen” (Isaiah 50:4). “As soon as he spoke to me, I received strength” (Daniel 10:19).

When anxiety was stalking me earlier this year, I asked the Lord for a word regarding my situation. “It will be all right,” was the instant reply. I clung to that word and each time I’d be tempted to stress, I’d remember it and my anxiety would dissolve.

Among other things, the word of God also tests, reproves, illuminates, creates, judges, and sanctifies!

There is tremendous power in God’s word, and great sacrifices have been made for us to have access to it. Many people in closed countries long to have it. Do we treat God’s word lightly, carelessly? Or do we esteem it, eagerly receive it, even crave it and gobble it down like our daily bread?

Photo courtesy of Claire Brosman, “Bread Class” (c) 2012