In preparation for worship, this week we are once again asked to meditate on:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Last time we concentrated on how sharp the tool was and its ability to separate what is inseparable (See “The Right Tool”). But in calling it a tool, an unfortunate emphasis was given to us as the one wielding the sword.
We did not emphasize sufficiently that it is living (zaō) and it is doing the piercing (diikneomai). This tool does not require a hand. It requires only an ear and those willing to scatter the seed of a well spoken word.
A long time ago, I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with Joe Coughlin the founder of Christian Service Brigade. That afternoon we read together:But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.
“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
Speak the word with clarity and love. Then let the Word do its work.
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