Renewal though the Word
It has been almost a year since I have put anything on here, and by now I am sure no one looks at it, but I will still go ahead and add my latest devotion that I wrote. I have a hard time posting things during the year since I am so busy with college, but now that part of my job is to write devotions, so I like to put them on here for my family and friends to read and share with friends!
Text: 2 Samuel 22:31-37
I work on the Program Staff at Camp Okoboji and we have selected "Renewal" as the theme for our Evening Devotions. And throughout the summer with our guests, we are considering the ways we are renewed. In this devotion, we will look at how we are renewed through God’s Word and the scriptures. Through the Word and because of the Word, we have all that we need. It shows us our Savior and nourishes our faith in Christ through the Spirit for our salvation.
While looking through the Bible gathering up all kinds of verses that talk about the Word of God, I found something very interesting in Jeremiah. Jeremiah 23: 28-29 says: “Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Here it refers to the Word of God as being like grain, fire, and a hammer. This symbolism is very interesting for us to consider. Looking into them further we find that the fire of God’s Word will ultimately test “the quality of each man’s work,” on Judgment day as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:13. Also, the Word is like a hammer because it works like a hammer or a sword to judge “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” as it says in Hebrews 4:12. Finally, for our purposes in looking at how the Word and Scriptures renew us and sustain us, we come to the symbol of the Word like grain. The first verse that I shared from Jeremiah asks, “For what has straw to do with grain?” The importance of this is that unlike straw, grain can feed and nourish. We need to be “fed” by the Word of God, but also, we need to feed others by spreading the Word of God and by sharing God’s Good News all around us, there is plenty to go around!
Throughout the Holy Word of God, we find that because it is the very inspired Word of God, it is also referred to as eternal, flawless, true, a sword and a shield, it is living and active, a lamp and sweeter than honey, also, it reassures and gives light and understanding, and finally, it is not bread alone that we live on but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
For the Word to renew and sustain us, we need to read it and do what it says. Listen to what James says in chapter 1 verses 22-25: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
James calls for us to be renewed through the Word by taking it in and not forgetting it and to remember the freedom we have in faith. This freedom allows us to not be bound by sin, our worries and frustrations, but we are free to do what we have been created to do. Since Jesus kept the law perfectly and we are unable to, we are free in the gospel.
The section that was read from 2 Samuel is part of a section that is David’s Song of Praise and his death follows not long after. His Song is a great testimony to the power and strength, love, grace, and mercy of our God. This section is a wonderful section to read through. David is singing praises to God for his deliverances, which shows the importance of a dependence on God and His Word. There in His flawless and perfect word, we will have a safe-haven, we will be shielded, we have the opportunity to read, absorb, and be renewed, nourished and fed by His Word, His Law and Gospel.
In the big picture, God’s Word by the Law condemns us because we are sinful and separated from God, but we can’t stop there because the story doesn’t end there. Also by God’s Word, in the Gospel, we are reconnected, renewed, and reassured of God’s Promise of salvation in Christ Jesus.
We are surrounded by evil things and the work of the devil is constantly present, but in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he calls us to put on the Armor of God. We have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and finally, the sword of the Spirit, which Paul tells us is the Word of God. Our battles can be fought and won with our sword, by using the very true and pure Word of God.
Our sufferings, trials, and temptations in life sometimes bring us to our knees and it seems like we don’t know where to look anymore. But we have God’s Word where we can find strength and renewed faith and vigor. And in the Word, God is near to us and we are renewed by His presence. Listen to John 1: 1-2, 14a: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning….The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to Earth as fully God and fully human and He lived among us and died for us. In the Word we have renewal.
One of the greatest places to be in the Word is in church. I remember how my Pastor would tell my class in confirmation, and in some of his sermons too, that it was important to attend church not only to praise and worship God, but it also serves as a way to energize, or renew ourselves. You could look at it as a “faith pick-me-up” as we hear God’s Word.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to take a walk somewhere that is peaceful and quite and also to take a Bible with you to look up some of your favorite verses. Then think about which one is most applicable to your life at that time and gives you the most hope or that makes you feel the most renewed!
Prayer: Gracious Father, You have given us Your Word for us as a record of Your great love for us and to show us that even though we are sinful and separated from You, You have brought us back by Your great sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for our sins. Bless the time we spend in Your Word, let it be renewing and uplifting, help us to use it to strengthen and defend our faith, and help us to live it in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Adam
Text: 2 Samuel 22:31-37
I work on the Program Staff at Camp Okoboji and we have selected "Renewal" as the theme for our Evening Devotions. And throughout the summer with our guests, we are considering the ways we are renewed. In this devotion, we will look at how we are renewed through God’s Word and the scriptures. Through the Word and because of the Word, we have all that we need. It shows us our Savior and nourishes our faith in Christ through the Spirit for our salvation.
While looking through the Bible gathering up all kinds of verses that talk about the Word of God, I found something very interesting in Jeremiah. Jeremiah 23: 28-29 says: “Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Here it refers to the Word of God as being like grain, fire, and a hammer. This symbolism is very interesting for us to consider. Looking into them further we find that the fire of God’s Word will ultimately test “the quality of each man’s work,” on Judgment day as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:13. Also, the Word is like a hammer because it works like a hammer or a sword to judge “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” as it says in Hebrews 4:12. Finally, for our purposes in looking at how the Word and Scriptures renew us and sustain us, we come to the symbol of the Word like grain. The first verse that I shared from Jeremiah asks, “For what has straw to do with grain?” The importance of this is that unlike straw, grain can feed and nourish. We need to be “fed” by the Word of God, but also, we need to feed others by spreading the Word of God and by sharing God’s Good News all around us, there is plenty to go around!
Throughout the Holy Word of God, we find that because it is the very inspired Word of God, it is also referred to as eternal, flawless, true, a sword and a shield, it is living and active, a lamp and sweeter than honey, also, it reassures and gives light and understanding, and finally, it is not bread alone that we live on but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
For the Word to renew and sustain us, we need to read it and do what it says. Listen to what James says in chapter 1 verses 22-25: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
James calls for us to be renewed through the Word by taking it in and not forgetting it and to remember the freedom we have in faith. This freedom allows us to not be bound by sin, our worries and frustrations, but we are free to do what we have been created to do. Since Jesus kept the law perfectly and we are unable to, we are free in the gospel.
The section that was read from 2 Samuel is part of a section that is David’s Song of Praise and his death follows not long after. His Song is a great testimony to the power and strength, love, grace, and mercy of our God. This section is a wonderful section to read through. David is singing praises to God for his deliverances, which shows the importance of a dependence on God and His Word. There in His flawless and perfect word, we will have a safe-haven, we will be shielded, we have the opportunity to read, absorb, and be renewed, nourished and fed by His Word, His Law and Gospel.
In the big picture, God’s Word by the Law condemns us because we are sinful and separated from God, but we can’t stop there because the story doesn’t end there. Also by God’s Word, in the Gospel, we are reconnected, renewed, and reassured of God’s Promise of salvation in Christ Jesus.
We are surrounded by evil things and the work of the devil is constantly present, but in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he calls us to put on the Armor of God. We have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and finally, the sword of the Spirit, which Paul tells us is the Word of God. Our battles can be fought and won with our sword, by using the very true and pure Word of God.
Our sufferings, trials, and temptations in life sometimes bring us to our knees and it seems like we don’t know where to look anymore. But we have God’s Word where we can find strength and renewed faith and vigor. And in the Word, God is near to us and we are renewed by His presence. Listen to John 1: 1-2, 14a: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning….The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to Earth as fully God and fully human and He lived among us and died for us. In the Word we have renewal.
One of the greatest places to be in the Word is in church. I remember how my Pastor would tell my class in confirmation, and in some of his sermons too, that it was important to attend church not only to praise and worship God, but it also serves as a way to energize, or renew ourselves. You could look at it as a “faith pick-me-up” as we hear God’s Word.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to take a walk somewhere that is peaceful and quite and also to take a Bible with you to look up some of your favorite verses. Then think about which one is most applicable to your life at that time and gives you the most hope or that makes you feel the most renewed!
Prayer: Gracious Father, You have given us Your Word for us as a record of Your great love for us and to show us that even though we are sinful and separated from You, You have brought us back by Your great sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for our sins. Bless the time we spend in Your Word, let it be renewing and uplifting, help us to use it to strengthen and defend our faith, and help us to live it in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Christ,
Adam
posted by Adam | 6:12 PM
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