I’ve always heard that God’s Word is living.

 But it wasn’t until I ventured into that little book at the end of the Old Testament  that I really felt what that meant!

As I was reading about how the prophet Haggai was sent to send a message to God’s people, I felt like I was reading a story about myself. It was as if I were one of the people in that book, going about my life, forgetting what God had asked me to do. 

This often-forgotten little book of the Bible was speaking so loudly and directly to me that day that I could barely contain my excitement about what I learned. 

This little book, written a few thousand years before I existed was like looking into a mirror and seeing just how selfish and silly I was being. 

 Hebrews 4:12 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.

God tells us in His Word that the Bible isn’t just a book of old stories or history lessons. It contains plenty of that, but it is so much more! 

It’s a supernatural book that can make us squirm when we realize that we are wrong, can break open a hard heart, and can bring hope and comfort to those who need it.

God’s Word is written by the living God, and He IS His Word! 

And when you experience the kind of clarity and excitement that I did that day that I read Haggai for the first time, there is no doubt in your mind that God is Who He says He is!

We don’t just “read” when we open our Bibles. We are entering into God’s presence and hearing directly from Him. That’s why His Word is so powerful.

• Are there parts of the Bible you have sort of skipped over? 
• Are there books that you find difficult to understand?
• Are you afraid to even read your Bible because you don’t know where to start? 

I’m sure that many of us can say yes to at least one of these questions, but here is something I want you to keep in mind:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

Just like rain and snow that fall to the earth, God has a purpose for them. They bring life, quench thirst and produce food. Their efforts aren’t wasted. God tells us that His Word is the same way. It will not return empty. Meaning that when you read God’s Word, whether you see it immediately or not, He is sowing seeds in your heart that have a purpose.

So if you sit down and ready the book of Job, even if you don’t realize it in the moment, there are words in there that God had for you to hear. 

What does this all mean? 

You don’t have to be a scholar to read and understand God’s Word. You just have to read it! You may not have a huge revelation like I did in Haggai every time you read, but I promise you, you will have moments like that from time to time. 

You may have days where you have to stop, blink and re-focus to get through Leviticus, but God has a purpose for His Word, so you know there is something in it for you, even if it’s not immediately apparent.

This week, I want to challenge you to open up a book of the Bible you’ve never read or studied and hear what it has to say to you. You may have to read it a few times, and don’t be afraid to use your study notes in your Bible if yours have them. 

There are also resources out there to guide you through God’s Word to help deepen your understanding of what it is that you are reading. 

Are you ready to hear something new today? 

Are you curious what I learned in Haggai that day? If so, I’d love to share it with you! I was so excited by what God shared with me in my personal study that I created a Digital online Bible study based on that book!

It is a short book of the Bible, and a short study. But I think you’ll be excited by what you learn as you work through it.