Carmichael: the definite utterances

Wednesday, April 19, 2017
    Commemoration of Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1012
Meditation:
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    —Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
Quotation:
    Someone gave me a bit of brick and a little slab of marble from Rome. It was wonderful to touch one of them and think, Perhaps the Apostle Paul or one of the martyrs touched this as they passed. But how much more wonderful is it to think that we have, for our own use, the very same sword our Lord used when the Devil attacked Him. [Brooke Foss] Westcott says “the Word of God” in Ephesians 6:17 means “a definite utterance of God.” We know these “definite utterances”—we have the same Book that He had, and we can do as He did. So let us learn the “definite utterances” that they may be ready in our minds; ready for use at the moment of need—our sword which never grows dull and rusty, but is always keen and bright. So once more I say, let us not expect defeat but victory. Let us take fast hold and keep fast hold of our sword, and we shall win in any assault of the enemy.
    ... Amy Carmichael (1867-1951), Edges of His Ways [1955], London: SPCK, 1957, p. 39-40 (see the book)
    See also Heb. 4:12; Num. 15:40,41; Eph. 6:17 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:21-23
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, I praise You for your word. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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