Third Day – “Your Words” (Devotional)
ΓÇ£The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” ~ Isaiah 40:8
TodayΓÇÖs world is chaotic. Watching the news, it feels like everything is literally falling apart at the seams. We desperately search for something of lasting worth to hold onto, and we long for a solid foundation to take action and build our lives upon.
John 1 talks of the greatest gift God has ever given – his Word, manifested in the flesh in the form of Jesus. Indeed, GodΓÇÖs Word is a powerful force. It has been working since he first spoke creation into being. And this voice still speaks today. This is something worth building a life upon, but how do we incorporate GodΓÇÖs Word into our daily lives?
It begins with hearing GodΓÇÖs Word.
GodΓÇÖs voice can be found in many places – reading Scripture, listening to sermons, Christian music, even conversations with other believers. Ask God to help you listen for his voice, and he will help you find it (John 10:27).
Beyond hearing GodΓÇÖs Word, we should be receiving GodΓÇÖs Word.
Jesus began one of his most important sermons by saying ΓÇ£Blessed are the poor in spiritΓÇ¥ (Matthew 5:3). As we listen to GodΓÇÖs Word, it is important to maintain a humble heart. This is the attitude of a person prepared to receive what God has for us.
When we receive GodΓÇÖs Word, we are ready to put GodΓÇÖs Word into action. As believers, we act as the Word of God to the world today. This is a big responsibility, but one that we can fulfill if we adhere to James 1:22: ΓÇ£Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.ΓÇ¥ Jesus has set a great model for us to follow, as he regularly incorporated Scriptures into his everyday encounters.
JesusΓÇÖ example, as well as his teachings on GodΓÇÖs Word, are perhaps best summed up in Matthew 4:4, when he responded to temptation by stating that ΓÇ£Man cannot live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.ΓÇ¥ Indeed, GodΓÇÖs Word brings us life. Take time to listen, receive, and apply his Word in your life.
Prayer: ΓÇ£God, give me ears to hear your Word in the world, a heart to receive it, and a faith to put it into action,ΓÇ¥
Written by Mark Lee of THIRD DAY