I was reviewing the opening pages of a poetry book I'm writing, and came across Psalm 51, the Scripture I'd chosen to preface my writing. And it really spoke to me... Even more than it did the 1st time. At that moment, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops; I wanted to share it with my worship team; I wanted to send it to my pastors as encouragement. I kept repeating it—reciting it in my head, saying it out loud. At the time, it was 8 in the morning and I was the only one at my workplace. (Praise God for a small office.) I most definitely took advantage of that.
I felt so empowered; so powerful, and I wanted to share it with everyone because I knew that there were people in need of it; people in need of those living Words. My only hope was for them to read it and realize the truth encased inside, like I had done anew a few minutes before. Upon the realization of that overhwelming desire in me, my heart broke. My heart swelled with compassion for people who are in need of God's Words yet, aren't looking for it; aren't seeing it even though it's right in front of them for the taking. All they have to do is look and see that it is good. The Word of God is good and alive and active.
"For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8)
After reading, my joy was renewed and I wondered, Why wallow in our problems? Why, when we have such a powerful tool at our fingertips. It was literally given to us on a golden platter. I can't even say silver platter. It is gold. The platter is gold, delivered right to our doorsteps too. Like come on, my friend, how are you not going to take that? To think that we have the literal Word of God—He who was, who is, and who is to come, the beginning and the end, the literal creator of the entire universe, and the One who knows all things, and you're telling me that you're not going to take His Word?
You're looking for a way out of your situation, out of your problems, and you can't take it anymore; yet you rather sit there and wallow in it? Let's do some math brother/sister. Do you really expect a situation to better itself when you are not doing the slightest bit to help it. Do you expect a situation to better itself when you are not putting your faith in action? Faith without works is dead!
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)
But I get it. It's easier to just sit there and do nothing about it rather than crack down, grab the oil, your Bible, and bruise your knees over it in prayer and fasting for an hour or two (see Ephesians 6:12). It is easier to escape for a few moments; to get caught up in books, in comics, in video games, in YouTube videos, in movies, in TV shows. It is easier. I admit that. Because I know it all too well. But I also know that distracting oneself with those things will NEVER do anything to help. It never has. Taking that kind of route will not solve our problems. All it does is provide temporary relief for us, and we will always have to come back to those things to find relief. Doesn't that sound bad? Doesn't that sound toxic and cyclical to you? Do you really want to stay there? We have the power not to.
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
You see, the Word of God is alive and active; therefore, when we read it, it should activate us as well. We need to be willing to take our thoughts captive to Christ, and believe and declare that the Lord has given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). And once we declare that and believe in it, then we should be able to obediently act upon that truth. Point blank.
"For we cannot merely be listeners of the Word so deceiving ourselves, but we should also do what it says." (James 2:22)
This is a gospel of action as we believe and know it to be true. So get up brother/sister, and tell the enemy that you're done playing his game. See things for what they are: Spiritual. I pray that your spirit becomes awakened. That your spiritual eyes and ears be opened, in Jesus Name, so that you may see the battle for what it is, and fight the enemy's temptations and evil whispers using the power of God's wonderful Word, and the WONDERFUL Name of Jesus, through the power of prayer and intercession.
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