How do we respond when someone gets between us and sleep, and/ or disturbs your sleep for no good reason? If I’m sleep deprived for long enough, I’m likely to get grumpy. But not always. Others of us may get absolutely vicious, some might avoid those persons, and for some of us, sleep is optional, so it’s no big deal. Of course, sleep isn’t 100% rest, nor is rest only sleep. Nevertheless, the question invites us to think about the enemy’s plans to deny us rest.
Our reflections on rest have indicated that there are times when we need to guard our rest because rest is critical for us to recharge, and to be focused at work, studies and in relationships. Knowing that there’s an enemy of our souls seeking to hinder our rest; it is apt that guarding our rest involves weaponry. Not typical battle gear, yet so very effective. That’s where Today’s Holy Nougat comes in.
Hebrews 4:12 CEB
[12] because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions.
Living, Active, Defensive Word
Previously, we noted that in this Nougat, God’s Word refers to speech, or a comprehensive message, that is, the ‘logos’. We also noted that the Word is an offensive weapon that cuts to the chase to secure our rest through Y’shua. Whether we look at God’s Logos as scripture or Y’shua, we are also encouraged to think of God’s Word as alive and active. More importantly perhaps is that God’s living Word is alive and active on our behalf.
Point to Ponder
How does it feel to realize that God Word is alive and available to actively work/fight on our behalf to secure our rest?
Application
God’s Word is not dead. It’s not just Y’shua Who can use the Word for defence, so can we. No matter what things seem to be round about us, we can use God’s Word to overcome it. Have you ever been in a situation where you or someone in your midst quoted Scripture and you actually felt a charge as though it was renewing you? That would be the alive and active Word.
Although the image doesn’t match a sword, I’d liken the effect of God’s Word as living to vinegar applied to baking soda, or activated yeast working through a batch of dough. Though we can’t see how they work, we can see the live effect bubbling (as with vinegar) or rising (as yeast does in dough) when applied to the reactant.
God’s Word isn’t just any defensive sword however. It is compared to the ancient weapon of close (mortal) combat: a two edged sword. HELPS Commentary describes a two-edged sword as a defensive-offensive weapon, which was referred to as “a drinker of blood”. A sharp two- edged sword slices in all directions, except at the hilt, and in the correct hand, would have the precision of a scalpel or laser.Because it addresses many situations, we can find a verse or two in Scripture to apply to any situation. Imagine when it’s God’s Spirit who’s applying God’s Word on our behalf.
Being living, active, and defensive means that whenever our souls are tempted to veer in any direction toward sin, God’s Word can isolate the issue and restore us to abundant life before sin can become a reality – if we so choose. When our rest is at risk because of temptation, God’s Word can work in our defence. When worry tries to disturb our peace, and subsequently our rest, we can turn to God’s Word. No matter what the enemy of our soul comes at us with – whether it be pride, the lust of the eyes or the flesh (see 1 John 2:16) – we can defeat the enemy’s plans. Our living, active, and defensive sword of God’s Spirit, which is the Logos (see John 1:1 and Hebrews 4:12), as well as the Rhēma (Ephesians 6:17) Word of God will keep us protected.
Now that’s definitely good news of salvation for us all!
Praise Break
Self-Check
How intentional are we at activating the Word of God when our rest is under threat?
More critically, how versed are we with God’s Word for defence or offense?
