GETTING HAMMERED

 

October 24, 2023

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

 

The Latin phrase “Sola Scriptura” (By Scripture Alone) means that God’s Word is sufficient and has the highest authority for all of life. This does not mean that the Bible is clear on every issue or question we have. However, Sola Scriptura means that the Bible is the reliable Word of God and takes supreme authority over our lives in every area it speaks to. We read in 2 Peter 1:19, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

When it comes to the spiritual life, Sola Scriptura means that the Bible gets the final word. As Christ followers, we believe that all answers to our questions and all wisdom for life should first and principally be found in the Word of God. Yesterday we discussed the life and energy of God’s word it penetrates deeply into our souls and spirit, that it challenges our thoughts and attitudes, that it has legs and hands that chase after us and tackles us.  Yes, God’s word is “living and active.

 We find in that the Bible actually gives us a various images to describe itself—these images describe for us what God’s Word is and does.

God’s Word is a seed that he plants.

Scripture is rain that soaks in and nourishes,

It is something sweet and delightful to eat, and

something that gives light and understanding.

The Bible is a sword that penetrates and makes sharp distinctions.

God’s Word is also a fire and a hammer to deal with what is cold and hard.

I would think most of us would believe that we need a soft rain of God’s word to soak and nourish us. I have found in my own journey that there are also times when I need God’s word to be a hammer to break apart my cold and hardened  spirit. Can you understand that? Have you had that experience in your journey? Isn’t true that there are times when we have let the world around us squeeze us into its mold? (Romans 12:1-2)

The word of God is inspired, true, sufficient and has final authority over a Jesus follower. As we follow Jesus, we do not place our traditions, culture, feelings, wants and opinions over the word of God. When we hold the bible, we affirm that it is the very Word of God and we take joy in reading, meditating and studying it to know God and to also learn what it looks like to live as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

Scripture invites us on a journey in which our knowledge of God grows and at the same time, the Bible also helps us to know ourselves. God’s Word reveals the truth about who we are and what we need for life, abundant life! Scripture guides us to live a life that pleases and honors and brings glory to God.

As the Westminster shorter Catechism reminds us our "chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."

Now, that’s a pretty awesome summary of the Christian life!

LET US PRAY

Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me. Thank you for the hammer and the seed and the rain you send in your Word. Help me to keep listening, so I may enjoy the full life you offer. Amen.