(Psa 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
The Bible gives light and direction to our lives. When we don’t know what to do, we can just pick up our Bibles and read and read until we come across those promises that will inspire us and be the very thing we need to build our faith and settle our hearts. The Word of God is the primary way God speaks to us today. And the Holy Spirit is able to apply the promises of God directly to our circumstances and what we are going through. This is what is call A WORD FROM THE WORD.
I love reading the Bible. It is so interesting and inspiring, like it was written just for me! (Heb 4:12) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. When I pick up my Bible for my daily devotions or hear a message from a pastor or teacher, it’s not too long until something pierces my heart and delivers a message to my soul. One time I walked into the kitchen where Cheryl had Christian radio on with a Bible teaching program broadcasting. I wasn’t in there but a minute when I heard what I needed to hear. It was A WORD FROM THE WORD, and I walked out rejoicing and thanking God for speaking to me.
When we seek God’s guidance in our lives it is so important to get a hold of certain Bible promises that we can claim and calm our hearts. Usually they will be the ones that really stand out as we study. These are the verses we will mark and even commit to memory. In times of doubt they can be brought up and our hearts reassured that God is working and hasn’t forgotten about us and our concerns. We will agree with the saying that “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!” And our anthem will be the line in the old hymn that declares, “I’m standing on the promises of God.”
Think about all those godly saints in the Bible that God spoke to. They had questions and concerns. They needed guidance and comfort. They needed confirmations and affirmations. They also needed admonitions for self-confrontation and ammunition against the enemy’s accusations. God’s Word never failed them and will never fail us either.
Old Jacob needed A WORD FROM THE WORD. The whole clan was moving from Canaan to Egypt during the famine. Joseph was alive and wanted to take care of the family, so they would have no lack during this time of scarcity. But to leave the land of promise God gave to Abraham and migrate to a pagan country? God spoke to Jacob to go down to Egypt and assured him he would be brought back up again. (Gen 46:1-6) After that he was good to go. And we will be good to go, too, after receiving A WORD FROM THE WORD!
Louie