Power In The Word Of GodSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: The Holy Scriptures says that the word of God is living and powerful. You can overcome the devil's temptations by reading and meditating the Word of God. When you read the Word of God daily without fail, your heart will be filled with peace and joy. "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)
God created Adam, the father of mankind and Eve, the mother of all human beings in His own image and form. As His chosen children, they lived in intimate terms with God, who walked along with them, "in the garden, in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8).
God told them, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16,17). On one hand, they disobeyed the Lord's command, lost His presence and His close union.
On the other hand, Peter who obeyed the Lord's word experienced miracle and became His disciple. This is how it happened. Lord Jesus was looking for a boat to sit on and preach to a multitude of people who had assembled on the shore, positioning Himself, a little away from the crowd. He saw Simon Peter and his boat. Simon was wearily washing his fishing nets, as he had caught no fish during the whole night. After His sermon from the boat, Jesus told Peter, "Launch your nets for a catch." Sceptical, but obedient, Peter confided to Jesus, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). The Lord did a miracle and Peter caught a great number of fish - so much fish that filled two boats, which began to sink. Simon Peter, who was amazed, fell down at the feet of Jesus saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). The crisp encouraging reply of Jesus was, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men" (Luke 5:10).
Yes, because Simon obeyed Jesus faithful, humbling himself and suppressing his common sense view, Jesus brought about one of the great miracles of transforming an ordinary and illiterate man into a prodigious 'fisher of men' and a hallowed vessel of God.
Another humble, obedient vessel of God was Virgin Mary, to whom the angel of the Lord appeared and said, "You will conceive and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus" (Luke 1:31). When the Father's will was revealed to her, she could have said, trembling with fear, "Oh no, this should not happen to me, 'a virgin'. But, with great humility and implicit obedience to the Father's will she said, "Behold, the maidservant let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Consequently, she earned the blessedness of becoming the mother of Lord Jesus Christ and of making the whole world confess, "Blessed are you among women".
"My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word." (Psalm 119:148)
This is an autobiographic statement of King David, the Psalmist. In the midst of his kingly duties, he found time to read and meditate upon the Scriptures, in the 'night watches' and he did not blame his lack of time.
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:2,3)
Friend, be firm in your upright spiritual hold, reading and meditating upon the Biblical verses, which will help you to overcome the devil's temptations. God will bless you and uplift you, in the sight of the jeering companions. He will turn their jeers into cheers.
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word." (Psalm 119:9)
"Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." (Psalm 119:165)
"Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)
Sometimes, I use to ask those who visit me for counseling, "Do you read the Bible everyday? How much time do you spare for reading the Bible?" Some of them would confess that they read the Bible whenever they find an opportunity.
Dear friend, do not defraud yourself. Give primary importance to the Scriptures and read them with thirst, as much as possible. They will be the joy and rejoicing of your heart. God will bless you, who meditate on His words intently. God says, "But on the one will I look; on him who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). Therefore learn to honour God's words. When you read the Scriptures with respect and in depth, you can propound them to others and thereby obtain God's blessing.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I have been ignorant about the power and glory of Your life-giving word. Graciously forgive me. Help me to read and meditate Your Word everyday without fail. Teach me to experience that Your Word gives life and strength everyday as I read and meditate Your word. Help me to obey Your voice without resenting it. Grant me Your divine grace that I may grow in You and bear good fruits. In Jesus' matchless name, I pray.
Amen. |