Day 7: Very near you
The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it (Deuteronomy 30:14).
Our Father in heaven, Your word...is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89). You have revealed Yourself in Your word, giving it to humans, and ensuring its careful and meticulous preservation through centuries.
And most amazing of all, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14):
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2).
How can we even begin to understand, let alone describe the power of Your word? You create, You sustain, You uncover, You heal, You deliver by Your word (Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 107:20).
By Your word, You wash us (Ephesians 5:25-26), You fill us with Your life-giving Spirit (John 6:63), You keep us from sin (Psalm 119:11), You light our way (Psalm 119:105), and You defend us (Ephesians 6:17). Through Your word You give us everything we need for a godly life... (2 Peter 1:3).
Thank You O Father, for ensuring that Your word is within our reach—very near us, in our mouth and in our heart. Give us receptive hearts and willing spirits to embrace Your spoken, written, living, life-giving, life-sustaining word.
Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
Oh, send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
~ Mary A. Lathbury ~ 1877
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