The beloved disciple John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1-2, ESV). John leaves no room for guessing regarding Jesus' divinity, his intrinsically relational personhood. In John's gospel, we see Jesus as the means for everything beautiful, the source of light and life. John describes this person as "the word" or, in the koine greek "logos." Jesus is indeed the instrument of God's will. I can see why Romans 1 gives no reason to believe there is a jury after death; we will all give an individual account for the endless opportunities God has given us to call upon His name. Look at all the evidence; our very eyes are evidence of a brilliant designer.

Everything the light touches points right back to the source of light and the giver of life and light. If you want to see the Father, look at the son, his right hand, who needed no raw materials for his canvas. That expansive, humble feeling you get observing the ocean waves crashing over the sand can become a starting lesson in knowing God and our fragility. I think of all the things I rely upon on any given day. I need help explaining how they function much less pronounce their names correctly. I don't understand the inner workings of the things my eyes take in. You learn a lot about an artist from their work. Some people have even devoted their careers to studying handwriting to find that the pressure of your pen and the size and spacing of your letters can mark the introverted, methodical types from those who are more person-focused and intuitive. God's grace, power, creativity, and love have no end if we keep our eyes open and purpose our hearts to attend to our surroundings. In the beginning was wisdom, which took on flesh to show us who God the Father is.

We can look beyond creation to understand our creator and ourselves better. Saving truth is not spelled out in the heavens. It is in his word that we learn of Christ. And we have his word. Think about that. Can you imagine being in a first-century church? They didn’t have a unified book readily accessible at the pew in however many versions exist today. Books were circulated among the churches, with some books like Revelation being read less than others. When the scroll of Isaiah was discovered near the Dead Sea in Israel, it was 24 feet long and held 17 sheets of sheepskin connecting linen threads. Right now, you can pull up a variety of translations, reference scripture passages, and look up words in their original languages without having to move your fingers more than 2 inches. The access we have to know God is remarkable. There are upsides to convenience in technology, imagine that.

With this availability, with the wondrous contents it contains, the very person it reveals necessitates a deep dive. Luke 12:48 removes the sleepy dust from our eyes and caffeinates our spiritual walk, ‘to those who have received a lot, of him a lot will be required.' God will reward us for the diligent use of our gifts and our talents. What is the most valuable thing you own? It is your heart and the word. And the word will guard your heart. Your body is not yours, and your gifts are not yours either.

Consider how the word and Christ are used interchangeably, explicitly and less explicitly. John writes that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," and in the book of Revelation, he says that Jesus "is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God" (John 1:14; Revelation 19:13). Jesus, who dwelt or tabernacled with us, is The Way for us to commune with the Father. Jesus is also the rider on the white horse who will appear in His glory to strike down the nations who feebly attempt to exalt themselves in the last days. While he came humbly as a poor babe, he will return as The Word of God wielding a sword as our rightful and faithful judge.

More subtly, Jesus appears as the word in the book of Proverbs, where wisdom again takes on flesh. Solomon, the author, implores his son to cling to wisdom and listen to her, describing wisdom as a source of beauty, value, wealth, and life. Wisdom personified, Christ, promises this in chapter 1, verse 23, "if you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you." Wisdom also says this, "the Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old" (Proverbs 8:22). And after the Father used him as the creative Word to fashion the world, Wisdom was "delighting in the children of man" (v.31). Christ has promised his spirit and this verse is reminiscent of what God promised in
Joel 2:28, “and afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

The word is Christ, wisdom is Christ, and as the recipients of his delight, we must guard what he has entrusted us. Christ cries from the city, offering life and blessings for obedience in this lifetime and the time after he returns on his white horse to establish his millennial kingdom. With obedience and the wise wielding of our swords, the word of God, Wisdom promises to "bestow on you a beautiful crown." Christ wants to reward us for our faithfulness. So treasure the word because in doing so, you are rightly praising Jesus Christ. He is the word, so when we embrace what he has said, however tricky and contrary to our feelings, we let our light shine more brightly so the world will see the Father even more clearly than what has already been revealed in nature. If we reject the word, we reject Christ.

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Christ, so turn to him and his word, embrace what you read, don't procrastinate, don’t skim, don’t skimp. If you struggle to trust or draw near to him, find inspiration through the authors in Psalm 1, 19, and 119. These scriptures praise God for the good that comes from his word. Why spend time in the word? Here are just a few reminders to encourage your devotion to Him, His word…

1. The word will protect you from falling spiritually, needless pain, and suffering from sinful attitudes and choices.

2. The word promotes righteous living, which pleases God and results in spiritual rewards.

3. The word will provide encouragement, comfort, peace, and hope.

4. The word will give you strength.

5. The word will prevent you from hurting people from unchecked sin and foolishness.

6. The word is "life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh"
(Proverbs 4:22).

7. The word will help you discern what is right and wrong.

8. The word will equip you for every good work.

9. Those who use their bodies honorably will be used more greatly by God.

10. The word motivates you to work more diligently.

11. When living righteously, you praise God - the alternative results in praising the wicked.

12. The word lightens the eyes and draws people to the Father or proves to be a judgment against them, which God promised.

13. The word helps you know what to say and how to correct when to hold back.

14. The word adds life, length of years to your life.

15. The word helps you process pain, sorrow, joy, etc.

16 The word helps you think correctly to make decisions more competently.

17. The word strengthens your relationship with the living God.

Ponder

How have certain aspects of God's word proven true in my life? The lives of others?Given this season's struggles, what scriptures do I need to commit to memory?In what ways has not listening to God's word impacted me negatively? (Health, thought life, relationships, goals, etc.)What distractions need to be eliminated for me to spend more time in God's word? Have I become less sensitive to sin? In what ways? How did that come about?What scripture is difficult for me to believe and carry out right now?How might I marvel more at God's creation? His creative works?What parts of the Bible have been neglected because they are too difficult?

Practice

Go on a prayer walk, and talk to God about what's in your heart and mind.Commit two verses of Psalm 119 to memory.Make an action plan around an area of your walk you struggle in and share this plan and its results with another believer.Ask God to use what you read for his purposes today.Find encouragement by asking other believers how God uses his word in their lives.Consider substituting social media, entertainment, or whatever it may be for more bible reading for a couple of days to a week or more if you are up for the challenge. Pay close attention to the changes you notice.Write a journal entry on what you are learning about God, yourself, and others after spending 15-30 minutes in his word. Consider 1-2 ways you can apply what you are learning.

Prayer

Wise Father, You know us so intimately. We struggle to conceive how the God who made the stars and drew limits around the ocean could delight in us. We are sorry; we lapse in trusting you. We cling to the old us. We find familiarity in the ways of the old man. We prioritize busy work over you, our king. You devoted much time to the temple, even as a child. Help us follow you. Help us approach your word expectantly, humbly, and prayerfully. Help us know how to apply what you have said. Guard us from the evil one. We want your kingdom to come! Ready us more. Keep us vigilant but not hyper-vigilant. Would you awaken in us a deep desire and passion for your word? Make the scripture come alive even more. Help us behold what is valuable. We take in a lot of trash, Lord. We like not thinking after work, but may we remember your infinite worth and consider the costs of compromise. Thank you for the promises within your word and the treasures available to us. Help us turn from sin in our lives and not operate out of shame. Embolden us to lay down our lives and to let you be God when we want to. You will reward faithful living. In Jesus' name, amen.