Reading and Reflection

Alive and active

Reading Hebrews 4:12-13

12For 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. 13Nothing 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.

Reflection:   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.

This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor