Day 3: Stay Connected to the Word
So often, people turn to friends, social media and self-help gurus before they ever turn to the Word of God to see what God has to say about their situation. The Bible has to be the first place we turn to in the middle of our desperate moments and we must learn to process everything through the lens of God’s Word.
My last pregnancy was filled with bad news from the very beginning. The funny thing about doctors is that they will find every way to tell you bad news; mine would update my online portal, call me and email me. It felt like every time I turned around, there was bad news! Because I was a high risk pregnancy, I also had to go to the doctor’s office every two days so I had plenty of chances to listen to my doctor give me bad news. At one point, it was suggested to me that I think about all options for my pregnancy and I had to battle waves of despair and hopelessness that would try to take over me. No one’s good wishes or catchy Instagram posts were helping me battle that either. I wanted to hear what God had to say.
In Hannah’s time, the priest spoke on behalf of God. This is significant because when Eli spoke to Hannah, it was like she was receiving a word directly from the Lord. Once Hannah made it known to Eli she was in the temple pouring out her to soul to the Lord and crying out from a place of anxiety, he spoke to her these words:
“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” (1 Samuel 1:17)
This may seem like a small statement, but it changed Hannah! The Bible says “Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Samuel 1:18)
Hannah came into the temple crying out to God full of anxiety, weighed down by years of unanswered prayers, but she left a different person when she encountered the Word of God. The Word of God pierces through our body, soul and spirit. When you are crying out to God for prayers that have remained unanswered, the Word of God brings a hope the world can never bring. The only way to have an unbending expectation in the character of God is by staying connected with God’s Word. This is why Paul explained that faith comes when we hear God’s Word. If you want to build your faith, read your Bible.
Strive to go deeper in His Word every day and ask that God would speak to you through His Word every time you read it. Here are a couple reminders in the Word about who God is and what He does for us:
-redeems us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
-will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)
-heals us (Isaiah 53:5)
-He is a refuge and strength in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1)
Verses:
“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 3:12 (ESV)
“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” – Isaiah 55:3 (NLT)
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17
