Day 16: Holding On to the Word of God
James 1:21
.. and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
The children of Israel had been led out of Egypt by the hand of Moses. They had seen the armies of Egypt destroyed by the hand of God. They had experienced the bitter waters turned sweet and manna from heaven and now they find themselves at a place called Rephidim faced once again with no water and they become angry to the point that Moses fears they might stone him (Exodus 17:1-4). We read this story and wonder why the Israelites were so rebellious and unbelieving. Surely they remembered the great victories from the recent days. Yet, each new problem brings a fresh requirement of faith and once again the Israelites fail the test.
A little research reveals an interesting truth. Hebrew words usually carry a much deeper meaning that is generally seen at first glance. According to Jewish tradition, the word Rephidim is a contraction of Hebrew words that means literally, “they loosened their grip on the Torah (Word of God) . Do we ever loosen our grip on the Word of God, His promises to us? What happens to us when we let go of God’s Word? Exodus 17:8 tells us that Amalek came and fought with the Israelites. How interesting the timing of the enemy’s attack. Israel was in a place of testing and they chose to let go of the promise of God (Exodus 15:26) and then the enemy shows up. Sound familiar?
The Jewish Talmud teaches that Amalek personified all evil and was on the different end of life’s spectrum than the Jews. They believed there was no design or providence in life and everything happed by fate rather than God’s design. When we loosen our grip on the Word of God, we are throwing our life to fate, to happenstance and to uncertainty. We open ourselves up for the enemy to attack us in our area of weakness. Amalek attacked Israel in times past from the rear when the Israelites were tired and weary and least expecting the attack and Amalek did not fear God (Deut. 25:17-18). This is how the enemy will come at us today, when we least expect it and from our point of weakness.
This is a powerful lesson for us to learn concerning the importance of holding onto the Word of God. What do you need in your life today? The answer is found in the Word of God. It is not enough to have His Word in our heads, we must have His Word implanted in our hearts. It is the “implanted Word that is able to save our souls.” It is the implanted Word of God that brings deliverance, safety, provision, and promise. As you enter into day 16, ask yourself if you have a firm grip on the implanted Word of God. Stir up your faith by speaking His Word over your life and begin to see things change and don’t let go!
Deuteronomy 32:46–47 (Amplified)
46 He said to them, Set your [minds and] hearts on all the words which I command you this day, that you may command them to your children, that they may be watchful to do all the words of this law. 47 For it is not an empty and worthless trifle for you; it is your [very] life. By it you shall live long in the land which you are going over the Jordan to possess.
