The Greatest Text Message | Hebrews 4:9-16 | Devotional
Hebrews 4:9-16
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Outdated. Old fashioned. Full of myths and legends. Irrelevant. Confusing. What other words have you heard used to describe the Bible? Seems like everybody—even those who haven’t read it—has an opinion. But God uses some different descriptions—how about “living” and “active?”
God’s word is living. Although penned in years past, the words are God-breathed. They come from the spirit of the eternal God, which makes them just as alive today as when they were uttered. Isaiah the prophet says it this way: The grass withers and the flowers fade; but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Everything else shrivels and dies, but not God’s word.
God’s word is active. “Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Far from lying on the living room coffee table, collecting dust and the names of dead family members, God’s word is as full of energy as a forest fire, and as dynamic as a hammer. When read, it jumps from the page and penetrates the heart. Once there, it reveals our sinful thoughts and attitudes.
God has done his work with his word. Only one thing left for us to do—read it every day!
