SHARP

adj: having a thin, keen edge or fine point; able to sense slight impressions or differences

“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

I used to think that reading the Bible was boring. I read it through many years ago and found myself struggling through long lists of hard to pronounce names, questioning rules that didn’t make sense to me, and wondering about things that confused my neat and tidy (and apparently very inaccurate) idea of what God was like.

Daily devotions and Bible studies were much more appealing to me, although I sadly admit that while I regularly turned to these devotionals and other books by Christian authors, my actual Bible remained unopened on my shelf most of the time.

For too much of my life, I didn’t know what I was missing.

But I’m finally starting to realize that the Bible is anything but dull. The 66 wildly different books contain amazing narratives, letters, historical accounts, poems, prophesies, and revelations. Within its 1200+ pages, we get to know hundreds of people who walked with God. We learn about kingdoms rising and falling, stories of courageous faith, acts of arrogant rebellion, lives transformed in unexpected ways, and my favorites–the Gospels of Jesus which record his miracles and his teachings that changed everything.

Woven throughout all of these?

The incredibly powerful theme of a relentless God keeping his covenant of love to his people no matter what.

This summer, I’m reading through the whole Bible again. It’s with new understanding and perspective that I’m trying this all these years later. And I’m so excited about it. The more I read, the closer I grow to our amazing God as I understand a little bit more of his faithful message of love.

What I can say, for sure now, is that God’s powerful word is definitely not boring. It is brimming with life, it is absolutely true, it is eternal, and it is cutting.

When I start to doubt?

The word of God pierces any trace of fear or deception. It is clear and unwavering on his character and his desire for his children. It firmly declares over and over the faithfulness of God to his people and his merciful gift of redemption.

When I get defensive?

The word of God slices through reasoning and resistance. There is no justifying our selfish choices. God grants us forgiveness, not excuses for disobedience or ignorance. He knows what holds the highest place in our hearts.

When I don’t know what is right?

It’s exact and precise. And it “lays us open” to listen and obey.

Can we do that? Will we open his word and tune in to what his Spirit is telling us? And then the more challenging question: will we do it?

That’s what God wants from us. He wants us to pay attention to his words, and he wants us to follow them. He means what he says, and what he says goes. And we can be assured that living in his love and truth will make all the difference in our lives.

Invite Him In

Go ahead. Simply open your Bible – God’s gift-book to you. There are so many ways to jump in. Ask him to speak to you through a verse, a chapter, a book, or simply a word. He knows what you need, and it he wrote it all out for you a long time ago. Let him draw you closer to him through his sharp and powerful word today.