The Word Works

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Towards the end of last week I felt stressed, worn, and downright discouraged. I knew the very thing I needed most was time to pray, read God’s word and listen for Him to speak to me, yet I couldn’t didn’t find the time to do so until late Saturday afternoon. My turning fully to rest in Him began with a decision to play a DVD that my Mama Mae (grandmother) sent to me earlier in the week. The DVD is of a lady who visited the small-town Alabama church my Mama Mae attends. On the DVD, the lady shared her testimony and as she did, she spoke out the word of God. I shed tears (I’m a crier) and laughed and praised God right along with her. My mom described her best as a “cheerleader for the Lord”.  By the end of the DVD I felt as though much of the weight had been lifted off of me. The word was working as it was spoken out and as I saw it lived out in the life of a sister in Christ.

I spent the remainder of the daylight hours on a long run where I talked, cried some more and poured out my heart to God.

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle…This I know, that God is for me. – Psalm 56:8

Then, as I read over the verses my small group at church would be discussing this morning at church, I stopped at 1 Thessalonians 2:9 – For you remember…

Over the last couple of months, God has been speaking two words to me: Remember and Wait. He has been reminding me of his goodness and blessings, how He has led me and protected me and provided for me in ways I never could have imagined. And when I think I know the way and want to run ahead, He gently reminds me to wait for Him. I want so much to see His glory and to see Him do far more abundantly all that I can ask, think or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20) that I know when He tells me to wait, it is for my good.

Blessed is the one who is not offended by me. – Matthew 11:6

I once heard this verse explained: the hand of God is directing divine purpose and blessing in the life of the one who does not let the perceived activity or inactivity of God cause her to stumble.

When the issues of the day appear to be against me, I can trust in a God who loves me enough to send His people, His Word and His Spirit to renew and refresh me, who is directing divine purpose and blessing, who is using all of these things for my good and His glory, whose word is alive and powerful.  The word works. When we read it and receive it as coming directly from God, it has power to cut through the negative thoughts, the doubts and the worries and the Word has the power to fill us up, give us strength, settle our minds, and bring us into a peaceful rest. Praise God!

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of joint and marrow of soul and spirit and discerning the thoughts and intentions of man’s heart. – Hebrews 4:12