The Power of God's Word

 "I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering." ~ Isaiah 48:10

"Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!" ~ Psalm 90:1

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." ~ Hebrews 4:12

Oh, my friends! The power of God's Word is real. 

I've been reading God's word since I was ten years old, sitting on my couch, highlighting verses from the new bible my mother gave me. And now I am a fifty-three year old soon-to-be grandmother, and let me tell you, IT WILL CHANGE YOU. It will change your perspective. It will change your heart. 

As the Hebrews passage tells us, God's word has power. It has the power to show us who we really are and who we need to become. Without fail it will do this, if we will just read it and let it penetrate our heart and mind.

Throughout my life, with each dark valley I've walked through...mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, God's Word has lifted me up out the miry clay every single time.  It has set my feet on a firm foundation and brought my mind and heart to Christ. He alone is the answer to every single issue we have or ever will face. 

Moses reminds us in Psalm 90 that throughout all generations, God has been our home, our dwelling place. And He forever will be. 

Living in a new place geographically for the past few years after leaving my beloved home in San Diego has been one thousand percent difficult. Many tears have been shed. I've agonized and been sad more days than I can count. The missing of what once was has been a sort of heartbreak for me. The adjusting to what now is has been slow. I'm not there yet either.  Everything that I could do and enjoy in my old home and city has been lost. No awesome weather nearly every month of the year (hello Wyoming), no garden (my backyard floods), no butterfly raising (brutal weather), no walking in the summertime without being bit by a thousand mosquitos (OK, I'm using hyperbole here, but this is what it feels like). No large home space to entertain like I used to. No familiarity with doctors. No old friends to hang out with (thank goodness God has blessed me with a few great new friends that I will be eternally grateful for).

Are these life or death situations? Thankfully no. I'm the first to admit all my needs are met, and none of these may seem like a big deal to you and that's alright. But, it's a huge adjustment nevertheless and none of us is exempt from difficulty in this life.

But!

Here is where God's Word is truly transformative. I read my Bible every single day, and I read through it in its entirety every year.  If there is ONE thing I would recommend it's this. Nothing will change you like immersing yourself in God's Word. Submerge yourself in it. Swim in it. Marinate in it. Soak your mind in it. Fill your thoughts with it. Do this and you will be changed from the inside out. 

Here's the power of it: when I'm wallowing in what once was, I recall to mind and therefore I have hope...GOD is my dwelling place, no matter where I am geographically. I could be in Miami and God is still my dwelling place. I could be in Rome, and God is still my dwelling place, or, I could be in Wyoming, as I am now, and God is my dwelling place. It's not a geographical place, it's a person.  God is my dwelling place. 

And...

When we are in difficult circumstances or life situations, and we know God is refining us in that uncomfortable furnace of suffering, immersing ourselves in God's Word is paramount. Nothing will soothe our souls like meeting with God each day and pouring over His word and allowing it to penetrate us and soak through to our heart. 

Be encouraged. Be encouraged! God has not or never will leave or forsake you. Cling to Him. He has given us His word to comfort us and lead us on the right path. Immerse yourself in Him and soak yourself in scripture. 

It will transform you and you will never be the same. 

"I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words." 

Psalm 119:147