Scripture

Isaiah 55:10-11 NRSV

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Consider

As with a personal letter, God sends his Word to us. The Bible is not a history book or a collection of interesting stories to be read passively and discarded. The Bible is Scripture, holy words from a holy God, miraculously personal and helpful to us through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Like rain and snow from heaven, it comes to us through sheer grace. Alive and active, the Word of God has the power to penetrate hard, defensive hearts and stir to life redemptive fruits like loving kindness and forgiveness.

When we’ve been hurt, we might want to wallow in our anger and pain for a while. As long as we are in this self-focused mindset, however, the power of God’s Word lies unused, like an unopened letter. God cannot fulfill his good purpose for us through his Word until we take it up and take it in.

If you are struggling in a relationship and need spiritual guidance, here are some steps to take:

Take It Up: Start reading God’s Word every day. Read even when the message feels at odds with how you feel, or when you don’t want to listen to a different Voice urging you toward a different choice.

Take It In: Ponder God’s Word as a personal word for you from One who knows what it’s like to live in human flesh and deal with human relationships. Believe in God’s love for you and let the Spirit reignite your hope, shift the meaning of your circumstances, and lift your vision beyond your hurt and confusion. Choose to trust in God’s promises so you can obey God’s commands with joy.

Live It Out: Do what God’s Word says. Forgive others and ask to be forgiven. Pray for the difficult people in your life. Give away acts of kindness, patience, and sacrifice. Dethrone your bitter heart and give God’s redemptive will first place in your life.

Pray

FATHER, I thank you for the Word you sent in the form of your Son and for the holy Scriptures. I yield my heart to you, with its painful wounds and bitter memories, and I ask that you soften it with showers of grace and truth. Let me live out the goodness of your Word in visible ways that refresh and renew the people around me, even those who have hurt me.

Reflect

Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25

Ponder

Choose a short passage of Scripture to read every day for a week, giving it time to speak and penetrate your heart.