Response To The Word Of God ... by Dave Evans

Don’t we eagerly read an email, text, social media message, or if anyone still writes them, a card or letter from a friend or loved one?

But do we even read God’s Word? Or if, and when, we do, how do we respond? Is it with anticipation or expectation? Or do we merely plod our way through a mundane, perfunctory task?

If so, we must adjust our thinking and acknowledge just what it is we are reading—God’s Word, the words Almighty God speaks to us through the pages of Scripture. And even in slogging through the genealogies, Levitical laws, and other tedious subject matter, we need to keep in mind that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” It is all inspired, or literally, ‘God-breathed’. As one man aptly remarked, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and He doesn’t waste His breath.”

Paul continued on to explain that God’s inspired Word “… is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” If we allow it, God will use it to teach, reprove, correct and instruct us in right living. He will do this so, “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)

And we need the Word of God as our spiritual nourishment. God told the Israelites that He fed them manna in the wilderness so they might understand the spiritual principle, “… that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3c NKJV) Job understood this truth when he said, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12 NKJV)

God’s Word provides counsel for us—“Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.” (Psalm 119:24 NKJV)

And it lights the path before us as we traverse the darkness in our world. “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

God’s Word can revive and sustain us in times of affliction and sorrow—“If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow.” (Psalm 119:92 NET)

Don’t you think our response to the Word of God should be like the response of the Thessalonians and like that of the Prince of Preachers who remarked, “To me the Bible is not God, but it is God’s voice, and I do not hear it without awe.”?

Dave Evans

Dave Evans recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part-time. He recently served as Body Care Pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.