THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE A FIRE AND A HAMMER

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JULY 03, 2022

TOPIC: THE WORD OF GOD IS LIKE A FIRE AND A HAMMER

 BY T. O. BANSO

“‘Is not My word like a fire?’ says the LORD.’ And like hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29 New King James Version).

There are different comparisons of the Word of God in the Bible. It is compared to food, a seed, a lamp, and a light, among others.

In Jeremiah 23:29, it is compared to a fire and a hammer. “Is not My word like a fire?’ says the LORD.’ And like hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29 New King James Version).

The first part of that scripture compares the Word of God to a fire.  Fire can be a blessing or a curse. A fire that is uncontrolled is dangerous; it burns and destroys.

Jeremiah said of the Word of God, “For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, ‘Violence and plunder!’ Because the word of the LORD was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not” (Jeremiah 20:8-9 New King James Version).

In that scripture, Jeremiah compared the effect of the Word of God, in his heart and bones, to the burning heat of the physical fire and he couldn’t contain it or hold it inside him; he must release the Word. Proverbs 6:27 asks, “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” (New King James Version). The obvious answer is no.

The Word of God in His servant is like a fire he cannot take to his bosom; it must be released. He feels fulfilled after releasing or delivering the Word God has given him.

The Apostle Paul said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16 New King James Version). The Word of God is a burden that must be discharged.

The Word of God is also a destructive fire to the enemy. God said He would make His words in the mouth of Jeremiah become fire and the house of Israel and house of Judah would become wood for lying about the LORD, and fire shall devour them (Jeremiah 5:12-14).

If God could treat His rebellious children this way, what do you think will happen to those He has no covenant with? The Word of God in the mouth of His children is fire to the enemy. However, His children must walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.

If they walk in the flesh, His Word may never have any effect. This is the reason some people complain that the Word of God is not working. The children of God cannot be disobeying His Word and expect His Word to work for them, except by His mercy. Jesus said His disciples must abide in Him and let His words abide in them for their prayers to be answered (John 15:7).

In addition, a child of God must have revelation knowledge of the written Word of God. It must become to him more than letters that he is just quoting. He must speak the Word of God in faith, not in fear, unbelief, or doubt. The Bible says he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind; he won’t receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6).

The second part of Jeremiah 23:29 asks if the Word of God is not like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces. The New Living Translation renders it thus: “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” The Word of God is compared to a hammer here.

Many times, a hammer does not break the rock into pieces at once; it must be applied consistently for some time.  Every blow weakens the rock inside although this may not be obvious. But there is one last blow that completely breaks it to pieces. However, the final result is a product of all the blows.

The followers of Christ must consistently apply the Word of God even if it appears there is no result or noticeable impact. The result will soon be obvious if they do not faint.

When Jesus cursed that fig tree in Mark 11, nothing appeared to the disciples to prove that the curse was effective. However, the following day, they noticed that the tree had dried up from the roots. Mark 11:20 says, “Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots” (New King James Version). It dried up from the roots up!

If the disciples had seen the withering of the leaves immediately after Jesus spoke, they would have known that His Word had started having an effect but the tree dried up from the roots, which were inside the soil. Keep speaking the Word of God in faith; something is already happening from the roots!

The centurion said to Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8 New King James Version).

Only speak the Word of God revealed to you, and your child, your family, your finances, your business, etc, shall be healed. Only speak the Word, and your miracles shall manifest. Keep speaking the Word. But, as I have said, walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. If you walk in the Spirit, you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). In other words, you won’t do what your sinful nature longs for.

John 6:63-64 says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe” (New King James).

Speaking about Abraham and Sarah, Romans 4:19-22 says, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness’” (New King James Version).

The Word of God is like a fire and a hammer. Don’t waver at the Word of God. Live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Keep confessing the Word of God in faith. It will consume what needs to be consumed. Hit the rock in your life with the hammer of the Word of God. You don’t know the last strike of the hammer that will break it into pieces.

Keep speaking the Word of God over your life, health, spouse, children, family, ministry, business, career, and so on.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: In the name of Jesus, I release the Word of God to consume like fire everything that needs to be burnt in my life and that of my loved ones. All the rocks of problems in my life, family, destiny, ministry, and business be broken into pieces by the power of the Word of God.

(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org