When life hit hard, they didn’t need a new plan; they needed the Word. What happened next on their back patio changed everything.
One of my best friends has a phrase she says loudly and often: “The Word works!” No matter what type of prayer request I hit her with, that’s her response. And she’s right. Sadly, scripture carries a unique power that we don’t tap into nearly enough.
Think about the last trial you went through, that last storm you weathered. Was your first instinct to call your mom for advice? Maybe talk to your pastor? Vent to a friend? Sign up for counseling? Those are all good options—we need a godly community and wisdom from believers who are more mature than we are. But I know I’m too guilty of going to the Word later rather than sooner.
I started pondering that fact—what holds me back? I know the Word is powerful. I grew up in church, so I have a ton of verses readily available in the back of my mind, not to mention about five copies of scripture in various formats. Hey, I could still find Obadiah in under five seconds (thanks, Bible Drill!) I’m also relatively quick to pray. But I’m not quick to crack my Bible, and I wanted to figure out why.
And I think it’s because my heart waffles on what my head knows is true. My head knows that Timothy had it right here:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
And so did Peter.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) …for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
I knew and agreed in my head that scripture teaches and corrects us, is eternal, inerrant, and has a purpose—many purposes. But my heart was struggling to keep up with that truth.
Until recently.
My husband and I are in a rough season, where we find ourselves praying a lot, Seeking God for direction, wisdom, and provision. Thankfully, our bad days rarely coincide, so we can take turns boosting each other’s faith in this area. (Sometimes, literally every other day!)
But one day we crashed at the same time. It was a perfect storm of hormones (mostly me), exhaustion (mostly him), and discouragement. We were in more than a funk. We were in despair. I can’t even begin to describe the weight of the shadow hanging over us. Circumstances, sure, but also warfare. We sat on our back patio, talking a little, and my husband finally said he just wanted to chill out for a bit. Play the Wordle. Watch reels and disconnect for a while. Honestly, I did too, but…the words that came out of my mouth instead were “I think we should read scriptures on hope.”
Hubby sighed but immediately opened his iPad and searched for verses on that topic. I sensed his discouragement. I felt it deep in my bones: " Alright, but this probably won’t help.”
It reminds me of Peter being told to let down his net again after fishing all night with zero results. And Jesus watched as Peter obeyed, most likely with a knowing grin.
We caught a hundred “fish” that morning on the patio. My husband wasn’t two sentences into a verse from Isaiah when his voice cracked and his eyes welled. Mine were quick to follow. He finished that verse. I croaked out “more.” He kept reading. Verse after verse after verse on hope. As he read, we could feel the weight lifting from our weary shoulders. Could see the shadows retreating. The light is pushing through.
The atmosphere changed. Our hearts changed.
We could breathe.
Peace invaded.
And that’s when I finally grasped the true meaning of this remarkable passage in Hebrews.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (ESV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…
I read that verse on the sword a lot growing up and as a young adult, thinking “cool imagery, but…how? How do we take up the sword of the Spirit?” Now I know. To wield a physical sword, you have to pick it up. You can’t fight a physical battle when the sword is on the ground. The same goes with God’s Word and our spiritual battles. You must physically pick up the Word and start reading. Out loud, if you can. (There’s just something about reading and hearing yourself say the Word at the same time that causes deeper engagement)
That day on the patio, and every day, our battle wasn’t against each other. Or even against the circumstances we faced. It was against the enemy camp. My husband and I fought that day and won because we used the right weapon. By the grace of God, we chose to put down the Wordle and pick up the Word…and it changed the forecast of our entire day. It changed everything. Our circumstances might remain the same now, but our hearts aren’t.
Our hope was restored, through the Word—just like Romans 15 promised.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
My friend is right. “The Word works!” And it’s not only a sword.
Proverbs 30:5 (ESV) Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Only God could arrange something that cool. The same weapon that lets us fight to victory is also the same instrument that protects us: our sword and our shield.
And here’s where I get really excited…
The Word is also a person.
John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus.
The Word IS Jesus. We have the Word in our phones through our Bible app, the Word printed on pages on our bookshelf, and the Word in our very hearts, dwelling in us. God equipped us with everything we need to fight the good fight. We’re without excuse.
So I challenge you, dear reader, the next time you’re stumbling in darkness, or find yourself in need, oppressed, discouraged, or without hope, go to the Word. Go first. Go quickly. Go hard. Fight with the weapons that guarantee victory.
And win the battle.
Trust me (and my friend)—The Word works.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/FatCamera
