READING: 1 Kings 6-7
Yesterday, I received from a friend a text that meant the world to me. His words were not many, but they carried power to lift my day. I was reminded again at how much a few words matter — at how much a few strokes of a pen or taps on a keyboard can really change somebody’s life.
How much more is that the case when we read something like this phrase in today’s Scripture reading: “The word of the Lord came to Solomon” (1 Kings 6:11). Think about how much there is in these few words:
- The word — God actually communicates with His creation. He is not an idol who has a mouth but cannot speak. In fact, He speaks, and things just happen (like light occurred when He said, “Let there be light”).
- of the Lord — The word isn’t just anybody’s message. The One who spoke the world into existence, who stands as both its Creator and its Judge, said these words.
- came — Solomon didn’t have to go looking for God’s communication. He didn’t have to seek an unknown god at an altar or run to a medium to get a message. No, the word came to him.
- to Solomon — Sure, Solomon was a king, and an incredibly wise one at that. He was, however, still a human being. Fallen. Sinful. Prone to error. He was not worthy of receiving a word from his Maker. Nor are we.
I can do nothing but marvel at these truths. I’m as big a sinner as there is, but still God came to me through His Word. He allowed me to be born in a country with ready access to the Word. He granted me an education so I might eventually read that Word. He sent a seventh-grade classmate to tell me His Word for the first time. He directed me to a church that preached the Word. He provided further education so I might know the Word better. Now, I have multiple Bibles in many versions and several delivery modes.
The Word of the Lord has come to me.
Maybe the Word really is just a few strokes of a human pen, but it’s still the God-breathed message of a perfect God who loves me enough to want to talk to me. And, most importantly, it speaks of the One who is the Word — Jesus — who came as God’s message to us. That’s amazing and wonderful.
ACTION STEPS:
- Even if you’re reading these devotions every day, renew your commitment to continue. The Word is marvelous.
- Encourage someone else today to read the Word more regularly.
- Pray for people who have no access to the Word today.
PRAYER: “God, I too often take Your Word for granted. Thank You for loving me like You do and speaking to me through Your Word.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 8-9