Daily Devotional

Every time I read this passage my mind goes to Genesis 2:7, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." There is nothing besides the breath of God that can create life.

About 40 years ago I was encouraged to read through the Bible cover to cover because "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16  And His word is what would produce His life in me.

The more I read God's Word the more I began to understand this; The manna in Genesis was the bread that came down from heaven and sustained God's people in the wilderness. And Deuteronomy 8:3 taught me that it's purpose was, "to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.'
 
Although I had been a believer for what seemed like my whole life, when I got to John 1:1 and read "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…," I think I understood for the first time that Jesus was the utterance of God. All the "I am" verses in John began to become practical to me…"I am the light of the world" (6:3), I am the bread of life" (8:12) "I am the door" (10:7), I am the good shepherd" (10:11), I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25) "I am the way, the truth and the life"(14:6), I am the true vine" (15:1).  Knowing that because Jesus was all these, I knew His Word would produce all of them in me.

Like Ezekiel speaking the word of the Lord over the dry, dead bones and creating life…and even more…like God breathing into the nostrils of man and creating a living being…His word would produce His life in me and that's how I would walk in the Spirit.

I am so grateful for the encouragement given to me so many years ago. As I have continued placing my bookmark where I left off and reading His Word cover to cover every day (I'm not perfect, I do miss once in a while) He teaches me how all of His Word connects. I don't understand some things but  He continues to teach me new mysteries because different things are happening in my life each time I'm reading through it and His Word will come alive more because of that. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that " The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the works of this law."
 

I Know Whom I Have Believed
Daniel Webster Whittle
 
Chorus
But I know whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day

Verse 1
I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known
Nor why unworthy Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own

Verse 2
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart
Nor how believing in His word
Wrought peace within my heart

Verse 3
I know not how the Spirit moves
Convincing men of sin
Revealing Jesus through the Word
Creating faith in Him

Verse 4
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me
Of weary ways or golden days
Before His face I see

Verse 5
I know not when my Lord may come
At night or noonday fair
Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him
Or meet Him in the air
 

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.