Raised with Christ 10
Chapter Fourteen: God’s Reviving Word
When the Psalmist (Ps 19:9f) declares:
“…The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter then honey, than honey from the comb”
how do we respond? ’Right on!’ or ‘Really?’ or ‘Pretty big statement, isn’t it?’
The author of Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything, Adrian Warnock, emphasises the power of the Spirit-empowered Word of God to bring revival (individually; corporately). This is the third part, of a three chapter section, dealing with revival.
In developing this critically important topic (how God’s words come to life and connect us to Christ’s resurrection power), he quotes often from the magnificent Ps 119. Here are some helpful statements that caught my attention:
- In revival times, people cannot hear enough of Holy Scripture.
- Through the Scriptures, we are meant to hear Jesus’ voice (eg. John 5:39; 10:27).
- God is a resurrecting God, hence we can expect revival (recharge) often as we read His Word.
- God’s servants learn to feast on His Word; they understand the enormity of its power.
- The resurrection gives us hope; God’s reviving Word gives us hope, and we benefit from being surrounded by people whose hope is rooted in Scripture.
- “Christian meditation is about filling our minds, not emptying them…[it is] allowing the words of Scripture to sift through your mind and be thoroughly examined in the same way that you think about an issue that is worrying you.”
- Struggling with negative thoughts? Replace them with Scripture!
If your answer to the question at the beginning of this post is ‘Right on!’ then you’ll be encouraged as you read chapter fourteen.
If your answer was not so affirming, then I highly recommend that you prayerfully read this chapter, go to the various Scripture passages and ask the Lord Jesus, through the Spirit, to bring the Scriptures alive in your life. They are precious; they are sweet, and the Spirit uses them to bring LIFE.