(The following is the December 26 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Revelation 19 and pay close attention to verses 19-21.)
God’s Word has always been a mighty sword that cuts through hardened hearts. It rips through defensive walls people erect to block challenges to their sin, selfishness, and supposed self-sufficiency.
Paul instructed the Ephesians in preparing for Christian warfare: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). He reminded Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The author of Hebrews wrote, “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). And God said through the prophet Isaiah, “my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do” (Is. 55:11).
It shouldn’t surprise us, then, that God's spoken word is involved in the final defeat of God’s enemies: “Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds ate their fill of their flesh” (vv. 20-21).
God’s opponents have dismissed and disobeyed God’s Word for millennia. Many will continue to do so until their final judgment from the Living Word. But on the last day of this great battle, God and his Word will remain standing while all opposed will be permanently defeated. Stand on the truth of God’s Word. It is a sure foundation.
Next Step:
Do others encourage you to reject God’s Word? When did you last take a culturally unpopular stand on a matter to support biblical truth?
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