Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:15:45 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 12); BP: Jer. 23; RBTTY: II Cor. 5; Prov. 13-15
September 12 “God’s Purging, Pounding Word”
“Is not My Word like as a fire? says the Lord—and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:29
It’ll either heal us or kill us.
God’s Word.
Dear Pilgrim, how long has it been since you paused and “chewed the cud” on that Book you hold in your hand? How long since you pondered how Almighty God could inspire 40 or more writers to capture His Word in 66 different books? And, how long has it been since His words literally leaped off the page when you “meditated on them day and night” (Ps. 1:2)?
Today’s Manna is a powerful one that reminds us of the primacy and power of God’s Holy Word as found in the Bible or inspired Scriptures. And, we’d do well to say “Speak to me, Lord,” as we weigh each word and ask the Spirit to convict and correct us through them.
“Is not My Word like as a fire?”
Fire is a wonderful creation of God and can be either constructive or destructive. If left uncontrolled, it can do great damage and cause great destruction; however, if properly controlled, it gives heat and light—and also is a purifying agent (e.g., gold being transformed into 24-karat in the refiner’s furnace—I Pet. 1:6-7). Thus, for the unrepentant sinner, it/He is a “consuming fire” (Dt. 4:24; 9:3; Heb. 12:29) that makes us wince in pain as if burned by a hot flame or cut by a sharp knife (Heb. 4:12). But, for the yielded child of God, His Word illuminates our path (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 3:5-6) and warms our hearts as we reflect on His precious Promises and great love.
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”
The picture here is more of a 16-pound sledgehammer than a small hammer used in driving nails. A well-struck blow with that heavy sledgehammer can pummel a rock or knock a huge, gaping hole in a concrete block wall—so great is its impact. And, so it is with God’s Word. How hard-hitting the Word’s convicting power when one is living in an unrepentant estate. He criticizes the messenger when such Spirit-directed blows are received. However, the Pilgrim, who’s still “under construction,” welcomes God’s Word as a Hammer, for the Spirit uses the “nails of edification and chastening” to further fashion us into Christ’s likeness.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, beware of the one who “soft-sells” the Word of God (vv.31-32, 36) and compromises on its truths so he’ll not offend. The Word, by its very nature, is offensive! And, woe to him who thinks otherwise! This doesn’t mean the speaker should be intentionally obnoxious; but, it does mean he must be faithful.
Why not take some time today to turn to one of those passages in God’s Word you may have been avoiding for some time? Begin slowly reading those piercing words and then ask the Spirit to further reveal those areas in your life that are preventing you from being all the Lord Jesus wants you to be.
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