May 31 | Hebrews 4:12-16
DAILY READING
Hebrews 4:12-16
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REFLECTION
Exposed
by Judy Webb
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV)
Do these two verses grab your attention, maybe cause a squirm or two? I know that my first encounter with these lines humbled me and changed me once I truly believed them. Just the idea that God was watching my every move made me cringe. I imagine most of us have cowered at the thought of "getting caught" when we were not behaving honorably. As children we often looked over our shoulders to be certain mom or dad weren’t watching. Now as adults we still have this tendency to hide our less-than stellar moments.
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight."
One of the early facts of scripture that helped me keep on the straight and narrow, was the reality that God sees everything I do. Even if no one else does, just the idea that God knows was enough to teach me right from wrong. The Word would often speak to me loudly when I would seek answers, when I would search out truth.
"Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
While on a bad day, this makes me examine my actions, these same words comfort and fill me with peace. If God is always seeing, then He knows when I am in trouble. He knows when I need His supernatural help. He is there to guide and comfort. I can only imagine how many times His Presence has saved my pride, not to mention my life. These two scriptures don’t make me feel controlled, but guarded, cared for, and totally loved.
Note: * If you have a love for the Scriptures and a gift for writing, please consider whether the Lord may be calling you to be a contributor to this daily worship blog. There is much flexibility and you can determine how often you are willing to post. For more information, contact Jeff Morlock, jmorlock@ualc.org. or me judithannie.webb@gmail.com
PRAYER PRACTICE
Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.
