When I woke up this morning I realized that some of my muscles were sore. Some of us feel a little achy or creaky when we get out of bed in the morning. There are a lot of reasons for our bodies to have some aches and pains. For me it's because I have been exercising. The tightness in my hamstrings and soreness in my biceps are reminders that I got all that I could out of that workout two days ago. It's a good sign that I am pushing myself and getting stronger. The effects of my workout usually linger for a few days and then fade away as I drink enough water and make sure I keep stretching and working on moving around enough.
Moments after noticing that my muscles were sore this morning, I began thinking about the passages in the book of Genesis that I have been reading this week. The Lord was bringing parts of the narrative back to my mind and I was mulling it over. Without thinking about it I began comparing how I live my life with the people I was reading about in the Bible. It didn't take long before I locked onto a characteristic of Abraham that I really liked and began silently praying that the Lord would cultivate that in me.
Within the time it took to get out of bed, get dressed and get my teeth brushed, I had already had a conversation with God. The effects of my "spiritual workout" were lasting for days after actually reading the passages of Scripture.
God's Word always bears fruit in our lives...
Isaiah 55:11 (NIV) 11 So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
His intent is to strengthen us through His Word...
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
His Word is very powerful and will dive to a deep place in us...
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
We get caught up in striving, thinking that we need to work hard to have God speak to us and teach our hearts. We are invited however to bear good fruit (Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:22-23) out of a place of surrender to God and resting "in Him." If we spend time soaking and chewing on God's Word (Joshua 1:8) it will begin to encourage us, challenge us, convict us, lead us, teach us, and cut through our complicated defense systems until it begins to help us live more like Jesus did.
If you give the Lord a chance to speak to you through His Word, the Bible, He will take advantage of the surrender of your heart and even days later, if you have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is whispering to you... He will still be shaping your heart through it.