These are properties. Powerful properties. I have, in recent months, had many struggles with the execution of what some call 'Devotions.' My struggle has not been with those things which oftentimes cause me trouble, but from recently received powerful encouragement, in the form of a description (here I must note that when transcribing this entry from my journal, I decided to leave out the lengthy discourse about 'those things' which 'often cause me trouble' -I think I may post that in a future month).
This description was different. It described three things; the object, the purpose of the object, and the power of the declared purpose of the object. I may have an object of power, say, a revolver -but this object is powerless without the message; its purpose. We may understand its message; the message of danger, and the somberness of possible death and injury, but someone without that same societal background, may not understand, and so; without the purpose or message of an object of power, the object is bereft of some of its power. Granted, the revolver still has power, but the message gives that power an even greater range and effect. Further, the declaration of the purpose of the object gives to that object a greater and even more potent power. In my analogy then, it is easy to spot the weakness; my object isn't powerful in and of itself, it needs an individual to give it its power, purpose, and declaration.
So then, this encouragement which I received was about the properties of that book which has been given to display that message which has been declared in my life. God's Word has inherent power, based upon the One that gave it (this is experienced in the courts when a Bible is produced for witnesses). Yet it gains more power, based upon those that understand it (this is experienced when the knowledge from a Bible is transferred to those that study it).
But when it comes down to it, the one thing which the Spirit uses, is the multiplied power which comes from the audible recognition of the Word; that is, when the Word itself is declared, uttered, spoken. This power is the power which has brought every one who is claimed by God to God, and it is the power which I myself have been continually taught by. For, as we know, it is 'sharper than any two-edged sword, able to divide between the soul and spirit.' Let us never replace the spoken Word of God with just the knowledge of His message, or the declaration of His Word with an unused book on our shelf.
