The Word of God
“…since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God…” 1 Peter 1:23
Growing up in a Christian home, we prayed at meals and bedtime, we went to church on Sunday, and we were sent to Vacation Bible School. I heard too many sermons and Sunday school lessons to count. But as a young woman who had returned finally to the faith of her childhood, I realized I had never actually read the Bible for myself, from cover to cover, Genesis to Revelation, and all the parts between. I had been spoon-fed and merely regurgitated what others told me about God. It was valuable to a point, but I needed to know God for myself.
By God’s design I found myself in a church that went through the Bible line by line and verse by verse. There was no topical teaching, no fads, and no fluff. And so began a lifetime love affair with the Word of God. I read each chapter, each book of the Bible. I took notes. I underlined and I highlighted. It nourished my soul and gave me counsel. It was personal and intimate. It was mine—God’s word to me on any given day.
The Word of God is enduring. The Word of God is powerful. The Word of God told me the good news and gave me knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Word of God was opened to me line upon line, precept upon precept. I grew nourished by the Word of God from the time I first believed and throughout my years. The Word of God grants me wisdom. The Word of God sustains me. The Word of God comforts me. The Word of God teaches me to obey the truth and to love others fervently with a pure heart.
How precious, how prized is the Word of our God. So much so, that many saints throughout the ages have been slain for their testimony of the Word of God. They esteemed it above their own lives. All the disciples but John were martyred. Even today Christians across the planet suffer and die rather than deny the word of God.
Sisters, we are born of imperishable seed through the living and abiding Word of God. Linger in His Word. Resort often to it. Mine its vast treasures. See Jesus therein and hear His voice to you. At your fingertips is the counsel of the Holy.
Father, we are eternally grateful for the revelation You have given us of who You are. May we study to show ourselves approved and rightly divide Your truth. Truly You are life and breath to our souls. Thank You for the words You left for us. Your Word is rich indeed. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Amen
That was good to read! I have been reading thru the Word from cover to cover (twice in the New Testament to every one time in the Old) for 50 + yrs with some long breaks at times.
I went to a church for a while where the Pastor insisted that was the wrong way to do it. He wanted subject studying.
I am not good at chapter and verse memorization, but I am familiar with so much of it that my discernment operates very well!
I am so grateful that upon receiving Christ as my Lord and Savior, that I also received The Holy Spirit, my comforter, interpreter, and so much more. I have Him with me at all times to help me discern God’s Word so that I am not without knowledge, and ultimately wisdom, which can be applied to all that I am confronted with in this life.