DIVINE HEALTH AND VITALITY IN THE WORD
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The word of God includes the whole of Divine revelation, the doctrine of the Gospel faithfully preached, the mind of God or the divine intellect and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews represent the revelation of God as an active being, living, all-powerful, illumined, executing vengeance, discerning and penetrating all things. Thus King Solomon in (Wisd. 16:26) said, `Thy children, O Lord, know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man, but that it is thy word that preserveth them that put their trust in thee.’
Also, in Deut 8:3. That is, the sacred Scriptures point out and appoint all the means of life, which it said does not depend on food alone. Again, speaking of the Hebrews who were bitten with the fiery serpents, King Solomon writes `For it was neither herb nor mollifying plaster that restored them to health, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things;’ (Wisd. 16:12:)) this has describe and prescribe the means of healing, which is by the word of God.
The centurion, though a foreigner seems to understand this truth and require that Christ should only speak His Word and His servant will be healed Luke 7:7, Christ must not necessarily go to the house of the centurion, His Word have the same effect and power to effect healing and changes.
The word of God, which promises to the faithful an entrance into God’s rest in time past, and now to us, is not a thing which died or was forgotten as soon as it was uttered, but it continues one and the same to all generations; it quick or living. So Isaiah says: The word of our God shall stand forever; Isa 40:8.
The eternal Word of God beholds all things, knows all things, penetrates all things, and can do all things. It is the ruler of the heart, and can turn it where it pleases. It enlightens the soul, and calls it gently and efficaciously, when and how God wills. Finally, The Word punishes in the most exemplary manner the insults offered to God and His Christ by infidels, unbelievers, and the wicked in general.
The word is sharper than any two-edged sword, more cutting than any that ever existed or any that will ever be. The word of God penetrates deeper into a man than any sword; it enters into the soul and spirit, into all our sensations, passions, appetites, nay, to our very thoughts; and sits as judge of the most secret intentions, contrivances, and sentiments of the heart. It is able to appeal to the soul of a sinner and administer healing and strength to our souls and spirits.
“Piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.-When the soul is thus distinguished from the spirit, by the former is meant that inferior faculty by which we think of and desire what concerns our present being and welfare. By spirit is meant a superior power by which we prefer future things to present, by which we are directed to pursue truth and right above all things, and even to despise what is agreeable to our present state, if it stand in competition with, or is prejudicial to, our future happiness.
But while this effect of the word or true doctrine of God is acknowledged, let it not be supposed that it, of itself, can produce such effects. The word of God is compared to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces, Jer 23:29; but will a hammer break a stone unless it is applied by the skill and strength of some powerful agent? It is here compared to a two-edged sword; but will a sword cut or pierce to the dividing of joints and marrow, or separation of soul and spirit, unless some hand push and direct it? Surely it cannot. Nor can even the words and doctrine of God produce any effect but as directed by the experienced believer, and applied by the Spirit of God. It is an instrument the most apt for the accomplishing of its work; but it will do nothing, can do nothing, but as properly used and apply by the believer.
It is powerful. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It is so powerful as to pull down strong holds (2 Cor 10:4-5), to raise the dead, to make the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. It is powerful to batter down Satan’s kingdom, and to set up the kingdom of Christ upon the ruins thereof.
“He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee” Deut. 8:3, God never permits any tribulation to befall his followers, which he does not design to turn to their advantage. When he permits us to hunger, it is that his mercy may be the more observable in providing us with the necessaries of life. Privations, in the way of providence, are the forerunners of mercy and goodness abundant.
Psalms 119:25 – “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word”
The Word makes alive and keeps one from going down into the dust. The dust is the place of the afflicted, the wounded and the dead. But the Word Quickens – gives live, peace and joy. It gives vigor and strength to break away from all bends and allows one to rise above every low propensity. In essence the Psalmist is saying: “Give me strength to meet this constant wearing away-this slow work of sorrow”. We need strength of the Word to bear great and sudden sorrow; we need it not less to bear that which constantly wears upon us; which makes our sleep uneasy; which preys upon our nerves, and slowly eats away our life. While enduring our harsh captivity, we anticipated our enlargement, and thy word of promise is the means of keeping our souls alive
Give me strength to meet this constant wearing away-this slow work of sorrow. We need strength to bear great and sudden sorrow; we need it not less to bear that which constantly wears upon us; which makes our sleep uneasy; which preys upon our nerves, and slowly eats away our life.
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jer 15:16 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Ex 15:26 KJV
God promise to keep us in a state of health of body and peace of mind; and if at any time we are afflicted, on application to God, the evil will be removed, because He is our healer or physician. …. I am the Lord that healeth thee …
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. Ps 119:50 KJV
For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Jer 30:17 KJV
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Acts 20:32 KJV
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John 5:21 KJV
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2 KJV
The prayer of John for Gaius includes three particulars:
1. Health of body;
2. Health of soul; and
3. Prosperity in secular affairs.
That thou mayest PROSPER and be in HEALTH, as thy soul PROSPERETH. These three things, so necessary to the comfort of life, every Christian may in a certain measure expect, and for them every Christian is authorized to pray; and we should have more of all three if we devoutly prayed for them.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Ps 42:11 KJV
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Ps 67:2 KJV
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Prov 4:20-22 KJV
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Mal 4:2 KJV
As the sun, by the rays of light and heat, revives, cheers, and fructifies the whole creation, giving, through God, light and life everywhere; so Jesus Christ – the WORD, by the influences of his grace and Spirit, shall quicken, awaken, enlighten, warm, invigorate, heal, purify, and refine every soul that believes in him; and, by His Spirit, diffuse these blessings from one end of heaven to another; everywhere invigorating the seeds of righteousness, and withering and drying up the seeds of sin.
Peter M. I. Peters
