The Power of Words
By Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
"And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." - Deuteronomy 8:3
Dear Friends,
Marlys Roos entered my life as she edited the Leader’s Guide for Aging with Grace – Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. Our connection grew deeper when she took on the project of updating the Leader’s Guide for Treasures of Encouragement. After experiencing Marlys’ eye for detail and careful attention to each word in these guides, I am not surprised she chose to focus on specific words in this week’s devotionals.
Marlys told me, “I had been dabbling with writing about certain words I’ve seen repeated in Scripture. Then as I ordered them, I realized those six words—Word, Remember (a.k.a. Don’t Forget), Wait, Desire, Search, and Gratitude (a.k.a. Give Thanks)—were actually the summary of my testimony and probably of others. And just as they are repeated in Scripture, they are repeated in our lives—sometimes on a daily basis!”
Perhaps one of the hardest words to remember and act on is “Search”. But “search” can also be one of the most exciting aspects of walking by faith. In Friday’s devotional, Marlys reminds us “search” is an action word that brings great rewards:
“For the Christian, the call to search made numerous times in Scripture, (Deut. 4:29; 1 Chron. 22:19; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 15:2, 4; Isa. 55:6; Matt. 6:33) is not because God is lost or derisively teasing us by hiding. Sin hides God from us. He continues to call us to commit and search. He requires us to search—with our whole heart no less—so that we are invested in our relationship with Him”.
We know we are helpless and weak and cannot save ourselves, but a passive response to His grace is not acceptable. Perfunctory devotion and half-hearted interest will not draw us near, and attitudes of entitlement do not acknowledge His worthiness. Only when we search with our whole heart and call out His name in faith and love will our eyes be opened to find—in Scripture, in His people, by a “coincidence,” or in Creation—He has been, oh so patiently, waiting for us.”
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
“The call to search comes with the promise: He will be found. And God always keeps His promises! If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13 NASB). I believe, in this case, He cannot deny Himself (or us) the joy of being Father to His children.”
I’m eager to share Marlys with you. I know you will carry her words with you throughout your day.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
PRAYER
Oh, how grateful we are Lord, for the confidence that when we search for You, You will be found. And, you keep all of Your promises.
More free resources for help, hope, & healing:
In His Grip is the preaching and teaching ministry of Dr. Chuck F. Betters for almost fifty years in church ministry. This month’s featured series is: The Myth of the Greener Grass with Dr. Chuck Betters
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 20 August 2023.
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