These writings are my own daily thoughts of short passages from the Bible. Follow along and keep me active in writing everyday. Maybe we will make it through the whole Bible.
Hebrews 4:1~13
"For the word of God is alive 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." (12)
Looking back at the Israelites in the wilderness we see that a whole generation wandered in the desert and did not enter the Promised Land. To enter one must believe the promise. The writer of Hebrews keeps quoting this verse from Psalms: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." It was not just the promised land of Canaan but the Lord wanted his people to enter into his rest, a spiritual covenant. It is a rest like when God finished his creation and the seventh day he rested. It is a true Sabbath-rest a spiritual rest in communion with God. To do so we put aside the works we are doing and find God through his word. Those who listen and obey the word of God find rest.
Verse 12 says, "For the word of God is alive 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." The word of God is like a surgeon's knife with precision and accuracy. The word of God awakens us to realize what is right before God. It is also useful in helping others realize this. No matter what we say we cannot change one person from the inside, but the word of God works inside. The word of our Creator God reveals all things for what they are. There is no hiding. God knows our thoughts and inner motives. His word penetrates the soul and judges the thoughts of the heart. It is through this word we can repent and be saved. I pray for His word to dwell in me and rule my heart. I pray to find true Sabbath rest in the word of God. God's word is a double-edged sword. That's no reason to stay away, but every reason to use it.
Passage Hebrews 4:1-13
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, ’They shall never enter my rest.’" And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.
4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works."
5 And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,
7 God again set a certain day, calling it "Today." This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive 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.
13 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.
Cover Photo from rihaij on Pixabay.