Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The first part of Hebrews 4 is a reflection on the Sabbath in the context of remaining faithful to the gospel. 'Rest' is a reward or consequence of faithfulness. In verse 12, though, the writer seems to take a sharp turn, perhaps suggested by his sense that the Scriptures speak so clearly into the situation he was addressing. The word of God, he says, is 'alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword'; 'It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart'.
One of the amazing things about the Bible is that even though it was written so long ago, it's so deeply relevant to where we are today. In Psalm 19 the psalmist compares the Scriptures to the sun – 'nothing is hidden from its heat' (verse 6). The Bible doesn't just reveal God to us. When we need wisdom, or challenge, or correction, we find it in the Scriptures. We may be going through extraordinarily difficult times, but when we need comfort or reassurance we find it in the Bible – in places like Psalm 23, which says that, ' Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me' (verse 4), or Psalm 46 which says, 'God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble' (verse 1).
The Bible is God's gift to us. It tests, probes and judges us, but it also gives us hope.
God, thank you for your word, the Bible. Help us to read it humbly, and to let it speak to us according to our need: in revealing your nature, in judging our faults and in comforting our distress.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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