Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
— Psalm 119:89
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
— Psalm 119:105
It’s rare that you read a devotional about devotionals, but let’s start off that way by considering this question: what is a devotional?
Married or not, you understand the vows made on a wedding day represent commitment, a pledge of loyalty to the person upon whose finger the ring is placed. Such is the real sense of meaning attached to the Latin word devovere, translated as devotion. To the follower of Jesus, devotion is the expression of a resolute commitment (vow) to honor God. And as he has revealed himself through the writings of Scripture and the person of his son, “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14), to honor God is by default to honor his Word.
Looking at Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus where he expresses concern for their being spiritually suited for battle (Ephesians 6:10–20), his describing a soldier’s armor anticipates conflict. Clearly written between the lines is this message: Warfare is certain. The enemy will engage you. And should the old saying about saving the best for last somehow ring true in Paul’s writing style, the sword of the Spirit, aka, the Word of God is key to securing the victory. No soldier will dare enter the battlefield without his sword.
Interestingly, in classical Greek, the sword refers to a relatively small, knife-like weapon used by soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. Perhaps Paul wants us to realize that the attacks of the adversary are not always that of a massive army storming the walls of our security, but up close and personal encounters, internal struggles pitting the voice of the evil one against the Holy Spirit. We all know how difficult making the right choice can sometimes be, don’t we? And without a knowledge of God’s word enabling us to distinguish between good and evil, success is pretty much impossible.
We should note Jesus’ weapon of choice in the wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1–11) was the same sword that Paul tells us to have at ready. It was the only one he used, the only one he needed.
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.
— Hebrews 4:12
Perhaps today the word of God has pierced your heart and you sense a need to have Jesus in your life. Please don’t hesitate. Reach out to us right away with an email and we will happily walk with you in this new and promising life.