Today's Scripture
Question #8 – Hebrews 4:11-13 Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
RJ's Devotion
As we start 2017, we wanted to examine the 22 questions of John Wesley. He challenged his followers to ask these rigorous self-examining questions, as they walk toward holiness. For the next four weeks, we will examine each question, daily. Also, I encourage you to read the ‘One Year Bible Reading Plan’ suggested by Bishop Sharma Lewis.
What the passage says
V. 11 – The Bible says that we need to ‘make effort to enter the rest.’ Rest means the presence of God. Where we can meet God and where we can hear God.
V. 12-13 When we are surrounded by the presence of God, we will hear God’s word. It could be the world through a song. It could be a word through a sermon, or a gentle whisper. It could, very often, come from the Bible.
What does the passage say to me/us?
“Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
I knew this verse for such a long time but never paid attention to the verse that it follows. “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest” (v. 11 NRSV).
We need to make a deliberate decision to come into the presence of God. Like we need to make a conscious decision to workout.
John Wesley asks his followers, ” Do I give it time to speak to me every day?” Some might ask, what is the ‘it’ he is talking about? Since this is question #8, we have to consider that the questions continue from question #7, which is ‘Did the Bible live in me?”
When we make that effort to come into the presence of the Lord, we will see how God’s words change us. We are allowing the Word to penetrate into our every being, to mold us back into the image of God.
Make time to be with God, and see how God works through us.
Prayer
Lord, help us to make that time with you. Help us to cut off anything that pulls us away from you. May your call and the invitation to be with us be stronger throughout this day.
In Christ name, AMEN.
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.