God’s word is sharper than any double-edged sword. This devotion contains the characteristics of God’s words. John the Baptist came before Christ and worked to prepare the way for him. Isaiah and Malachi have prophesized about this (Isaiah 40: 3; Malachi 3: 3). His father Zechariah was a Priest is the household of Abijah (I Chronicles 24: 10) and his mother Elizabeth was part of Aaron’s family (Luke 1: 5). When Zechariah was ministering in the temple of God, angel Gabriel appeared to him. The angel said that Elizabeth will bear a son and that he is to be named John. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were well advanced in age. Because Zechariah did not believe the message of the angel, he couldn’t speak till the child was named John. John the Baptist was born six months prior to Jesus’ birth (B.C. 5). Without drinking wine or alcohol, according to the instruction of the angel,John followed the nazirite law (Luke 1: 9- 64). Luke testifies about John thus: “And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel” ( Luke 1: 80). The word of God came upon John. He bore witness to the word of God (John 1: 6-8). God’s word is a double-edged sword. Psalm 119 talks about the other characteristics of the word of God. This is also known as the biggest chapter in the Bible. The 22 alphabets of Hebrew language is chronologically recorded and each letter has 8 verses and thus 176 verses sing about the various characteristics of the word of God. The famous one is this- “Your word is a lamp to my feet”. When we stumble due to the tribulations in life, God’s word stands as a lamp to us. The foundation of the Christian life should be laid on the word of God. “Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away” (Matt 24: 35). It is the word of God that gives us faith in God (Romans 10: 17). God’s word gives us a holistic healing ( Psalm 107: 20). God’s word trains us for good work and leads us to wholeness (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17). It is the word of God that cleanses us (Proverbs 30:5). It makes the simple, wise (Psalm 19: 7). There is an exhortation to continually read, meditate and believe the word of the Lord (Deut. 6:6-8). That is why the word of the Lord is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our paths.

1. The Word Transforms (Jeremiah 36: 1-10)
We see in Jeremiah 36: 1- 10, the transformation that the written word of God brings. Baruch wrote the words that Jeremiah told, in a scroll. Jeremiah advised him to read it out loud so the all the people will hear it. When the word of the Lord is heard “perhaps they will bring their petition before the Lord, and each will turn from their wicked ways” (Jer. 36: 7), said Jeremiah. Hearing the word of God, which is a double edged sword, preached by John, the people repented. A huge crowd in Judah, Jerusalem and Galilee got baptized by John (Matt. 3; Mark 1; Luke 3).

2. The Word Divides (Hebrews 4: 11 -13)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4: 12). This is what happened in the ministry of John. John who came to prepare the way for the coming of Christ, preached to the people to bear fruit that is worthy of repentance. Tax collectors, soldiers and the public reacted well to this message.

3. The Word Heals (Luke 1: 5 – 17)
Word of God heals (Psalm 107: 20). Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were well advanced in years. Elizabeth was barren (Luke 1: 7). But the word of the Lord came upon her (Luke 1: 13). The child thus born to her was John. The word of God fulfills. As we prepare for the advent of God let us remember the word of God that is being fulfilled.