For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer. (Hebrews 4:12-13, NASB)
Do we understand that words can be life or death?
Dennis Darville started us on the right course with the Links Players study guide. The lesson was on love and remembering. In the text, Dennis told a poignant story about a recent conversation with his 93-year-old dad.
As his dad reflected on his long life, he told Dennis, “Son, all those years ago when you came home from college and went to work for me, I can’t describe how much I enjoyed being with you.” Dennis described his reaction: “Speechless. Tears.”
Those words of affirmation and love will always be remembered and give life to Dennis. Can you imagine our Heavenly Father saying, “I can’t describe how much I enjoy being with you.”
Then, the toss-up question for the week was, “What is your fondest memory from a round of golf?” Well, a funny thing happened on the way to answering that question. I attended six Links fellowships that week, and not one person described the low score that was shot or the tournament won.
Many described a remembrance from playing with some special friends, but most talked of rounds of golf they had remembered with their dad.
One man said he will always remember the day he first beat his dad. He also remembered the day that his son finally beat him. Another had kept a letter from his father describing a round of golf from the glorious Spring of last year.
Words of encouragement can give life. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Once, the Bible was just so many words to us— “clouds and darkness”—then, suddenly, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us when our circumstances make the words fresh and new.
Oswald Chambers says, “That is the way God speaks to us; not just by visions and dreams, but by words. When a man gets to God, it is by the simplest way—words. (My Utmost for His Highest)
As we discussed remembrance in the Fellowships that week, I remembered a story of a friend who searched through her mom’s Bible after her death to find any words or highlights that would encourage her.
Then she noticed John 3:16—For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Her mom had taken “white out” to scratch through the words “the world” and written her name in the place of the world—For God so loved Ina that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Pause and be still. This is real. Put your name in Ina’s place. Those words not only give us instruction and affirmation but also give life now and for eternity.
We cannot fathom how much God enjoys being with us as we become still and feel His presence. We might love our quiet time with God, but can you imagine He also loves this time with us? Those words are so rich and powerful. It is hard to comprehend. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us more than we can imagine.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to respond to you in the way you responded to us.