Transformed by the Word

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday’s Collect reminds me of three ways God uses His Word to transform our lives.

To begin with, this collect reminds me that we are people of the Scripture. Through Scripture, we learn about God, we discover God’s personality and character traits, we hear about his redemptive love and forgiveness and we come to know his covenant promises for relationship and faith-filled living.

Paul tells us that all Scripture is inspired or spoken forth by God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Message eloquently states this: “There is no other book like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another — showing us the truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word, we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” Truly God’s Word is special revelation to us.

Next, this collect reminds me that, because we are people of Scripture, we need to know the Word. We come to learn its message by hearing it. Hearing and listening to Scripture is essential for faith because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17); and faith in God grows as we read and mark and learn Scripture. In this way, we inwardly digest them.

Finally, this collect reminds me of our belief in eternal life. The New Testament Scriptures testify to our Lord’s resurrection, and his resurrection is solid evidence that death does not have the final word over Christ Jesus or us (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). Because we hold this great confidence, we patiently wait for the archangel’s trumpet blast and Christ’s call to live with him forever.

God gives all holy Scripture for our edification and benefit; therefore, let us press in and earnestly digest its message of great joy for all people.

Blessings!