“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword . . .”- Hebrews 4:12
In Chapter 4 (“Conversing with God”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller states that as a gift of the Holy Spirit, prayer becomes a continuation of a conversation started by God. As that conversation proceeds, Pastor Keller adds, “praying becomes meeting with God- heaven in the ordinary.”
The author notes that the biblical pattern for prayer entails meditation on the words of Scripture until we respond with our whole being. However, God’s words are infinitely more powerful than our own. With God, speech and action are equated. What God’s voice does, God does. Although our words must be backed up by actions and can fail to achieve their intended purpose, such is not the case with God, as Timothy Ward explains in Words of Life:
“Thus (we may say) God has invested himself with his words, or we could say God has so identified himself with his words that whatever someone does to God’s words . . . they do to God himself. . . . God’s . . . verbal actions are a kind of extension of himself.”
As Timothy Keller concludes, putting our trust in God’s word is to put our trust in God. Communication from God becomes communion with God.
Today’s question: How has putting your trust in God’s word made your prayer life more meaningful? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Immersion in God’s Word”
