“‘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?’”** Jeremiah 23:28-29 (NIV)**
Oh the powerful and amazing Word of God! From His own mouth He proclaims it can break a rock into pieces, how much less a human heart? God is ever applying His instructions to our hearts and minds – His Word being “alive and active”. Indeed the writer of Hebrews proclaims in Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV): “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.”
When God is the teacher, He has searched our hearts and examined our minds teaching us exactly what we need in increments we are able to apply through the power of the Spirit. And these hearts of ours can be very deceitful above all things, Amen? We can so easily convince ourselves of the “rightness” of our thoughts and actions, but we are not the Judge, God is. Not only that, the divine Truths of His Word applied fully satisfies the human soul – never leaving us wanting or needy. It was created to do so. Indeed, the psalmist proclaims in Psalms 119:72 (NIV): “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Nothing on earth is like it and it is an amazing gift from God’s Hand. We disregard it to our own peril.
King David understood the preciousness of God’s Word at a heart level through his own experiences – not someone else’s. He knew firsthand what a “balm of Gilead” God’s Word was to his heart. He knew the power within it – conveying strength as well as light - this all by experience, as he was very acquainted with it and delighted in it. Therein lies the problem for many modern day saints. We depend upon others to dig in and teach us God’s Word in lieu of studying it for ourselves - studying to show ourselves approved workmen - and we miss much blessing in doing so. God desires to teach us Himself through His Word as it is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword, Scripture tells us. And the more one knows it, the more one loves it. It is alive and active teaching straight to the heart and His Words are sweet to the taste – sweeter than honeycomb. Indeed, King David rolled God’s teachings as sugar under his tongue as they are true Truth. We can stand fast in His precepts as God never goes against His revealed will found in His Word.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 (NIV)