Sword

I had a dream Tuesday night. I was walking on a cobblestone road, on campus, at dusk. I looked toward the setting sun, then heard three voices singing behind me. I turned to look and it was three college women, riding bikes while harmonizing their song. They were singing, “My Savior’s Sword” One started, the second joined in, then the third, in three part harmony. I ran behind them as they rode toward the center of campus. They stopped and I asked them about the song. They said it was their tribute to Jesus, who was the Word made flesh, and who is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Bringing their theme full circle from John 1:1-4 and Ephesians 6:17b

“In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.”

I began singing their song with them, then others around us on campus joined in, until we were in unison praising God.

Then the very next morning in my devotional was this verse, Hebrews 4:12 (I love when God does that!)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper that the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between the soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

In Wiersebe’s commentary on this verse he said the following:

“In comparing the Word of God to a sword, the writer was not suggesting that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints! It is true that the Word cuts the heart of sinners with conviction (Acts 5:33; 7:54), and that the Word defeats Satan (Eph. 6:17). The Greek word translated “sword” means “a short sword or dagger.” The emphasis is on the power of the Word to penetrate and expose the inner heart of man. The Word is a “discerner” or “critic.” The Israelites criticized God’s Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. Consequently, they lost their inheritance. Of course, God sees our hearts (Heb. 4:13), but we do not always know what is there (Jer. 17:9). God uses the Word to enable us to see the sin and unbelief in our own hearts. The Word exposes our hearts, and then, if we trust God, the Word enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises. This is why each believer should be diligent to apply himself to hear and heed God’s Word. In the Word we see God, and we also see how God sees us. We see ourselves as we really are. This experience enables us to be honest with God, to trust His will, and to obey Him. All of this is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. (The two “he’s” in Heb. 4:10 refer to Jesus Christ.) God rested when He finished the work of creation. God’s Son rested when He completed the work of the new creation. We may enter into His rest by trusting His Word and obeying His will. We can do this as we listen to His Word, understand it, trust it, and obey it. Only in this way can we claim our inheritance in Christ.”

I am still singing that song and putting on my full armor, swinging my Sword, The Word of God each day.

Won’t you join me in hearing and heeding God’s Word?