The Word of God is alive. The Bible is not just words on paper, but the voice of God, with all His authority, power, and command. It actively works in our lives to draw our hearts closer to Him. Paul calls God’s Word “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). Scripture tells us, “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). Using a modern example, we could say that God’s Word is sharper than a surgeon’s finely crafted scalpel. When we read the Bible, it is like being stretched on an operating table as God’s Word begins cutting out the disease of sin to heal us. In our minds and hearts, we try to justify our sins and rationalize our behaviors. But when confronted with the Truth of the Bible, there can be no more pretending. When we see God’s commands in front of us, we cannot hide from our sins, our faults, and our pride. Just like a medical x-ray shows what is hidden in the body, Scripture shows us the true status of our spiritual health. Prayer: Father, I need to allow Your Word to reveal the hidden things in my life and to cut out the sin. As I read Your Word, show me my spiritual condition. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

We must dig into God’s Word and apply it to our lives to take hold of the treasure found therein. What are some of these treasures? Proverbs 2 says that when you accept the Word of God and seek to understand and obey it, “wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:10-11). Seek godly wisdom from the Word of the Lord. True wisdom and her benefits are priceless: “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:13-15). So what is wisdom? It’s not merely the accumulation of knowledge so that one is characterized as smart or savvy, but it is the source of moral and ethical principles, which are integral to a God-honoring lifestyle. Seek and choose this wisdom—with all its blessings, with all its protection, and with all its promises. Prayer: God, thank You for the treasures available to us in Your Word. Help me to seek wisdom from Your Word every day. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Seeking wisdom is like seeking a hidden treasure. When you’re looking for a treasure—especially treasures on which your life depends—what do you do? You don’t give up after five minutes. You keep on mining. You keep on digging. You keep on searching. You do this because your life depends on it. So you are persistent, committed, and disciplined in your search for the treasure. The same is true when you are seeking the wisdom of God. Indeed, Proverbs tells us: “. . . if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:4-6). True wisdom of God comes from His Word. We must be resolute in studying the Word of God and in discovering the Truth it contains. Every time we mine the Word of God, we’ll discover treasure—and the more we mine, the more treasure we’ll gain. But those who do not spend time diligently seeking wisdom from the Bible, those who read it without comprehending it—even those who memorize it without applying it to their lives—are missing the treasure that comes from the Word of God. Don’t miss out on the treasure God has hidden for you in His Word. Dig deep and discover His Truth that guides you through life, brings peace and hope, and blesses you to be a blessing to others. Prayer: God, help me to be diligent in my search for wisdom from You. Help me to spend more time studying Your Word and applying it to my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Much of our worldly pursuits in life will bring us nothing but emptiness, misery, and disappointment. A life without God’s leading is a life without purpose and meaning. But, thanks be to God, there is a better way! A life lived in fellowship with God, a life lived under the authority of the Word of God, a life lived by the principles given to us in His Word—that life will be meaningful. That sort of life will be purposeful. That life will be joyful and fulfilling. That life will be a blessing to you and to others. Most importantly, that life will be a blessing to God. The good news is that those who are experiencing a personal relationship with the Son of God will not only find contentment in this life. They will know with all assurance that the day is coming when they will have perfect knowledge, perfect bodies, perfect memories, and perfect stamina. And the reason that they can have this full life is that they know who they are and to whom they belong. They know their purpose for living, and they know their ultimate destination. Only God, His Truths, His purpose, and His Word can give your life the meaning you have always wanted. Prayer: Lord, thank You for offering me a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment through Christ. I pray that my life would be a blessing to You and to others as I seek to serve You alone. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Read Numbers 20:1-13. Moses was described by God as the meekest man on the face of this earth (see Numbers 12:3), and yet he had a ferocious temper. He just could not get complete victory over his tendency to rage. And ultimately, it kept him from the prize: leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Of course, Moses isn’t the only person to ever struggle with anger. Every day, we can see the consequences of uncontrolled anger in our society. Mishandled anger has killed an untold number of people, destroyed homes, ruined careers, and devastated friendships. It has blocked many blessings and many answers to prayer. On the other hand, unexpressed anger turned inward can cause depression. While anger is a natural and legitimate emotion, Christians have been called “to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). The question is not whether or not we’ll get angry; the question is What should we do with our anger? How do we express righteous anger so that we do not sin (see Ephesians 4:26)? By being constructive, not destructive; by being a blessing, not a stumbling block; by bringing joy to others, not sorrow. Victory over our anger won’t happen overnight. God’s training takes a lifetime. Therefore, let us persevere knowing that our God has given us all we need to pursue a godly life in Christ Jesus, for by His blood, we are a new creation. Prayer: God, forgive me for the ways I mishandle anger. Show me what to do with my anger when it boils up within me. Help me to channel it to produce good and not to tear down. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Read Exodus 32:1-14. Every day, you and I must choose to pursue either image or integrity. Image is all about how we look and what people think of us. It’s style over substance. Integrity, on the other hand, is doing what’s right, regardless of what people think. Everyone is tempted to choose image over integrity. It’s a daily showdown none of us can afford to take lightly. Aaron knew this temptation well. While Moses was atop Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from the Lord, Aaron was down below with the people, and there was a mutiny brewing. The people were tired of waiting and wanted an idol to worship. Aaron was not the sort of man to put an end to their mutiny regardless of what it might cost. Instead, he discovered that he was prone to compromise. Simply put, Aaron wanted to be liked. He was living for an audience of millions. So, he did what they asked: He made them a golden calf to worship. Wanting to be liked will always lead us to compromise. But in Christ, we have the power to resist this temptation. We have been changed—made new—to live for an audience of one. We know what Christ says about us matters infinitely more than anything else. In His strength, we can choose integrity over image because we are not alone. Our God is with us. Prayer: Father, forgive me for the ways I try to please man rather than please You. Help me to see the ways I seek praise for myself rather than Your delight. May I find full satisfaction in Your pleasure with me as I cling to Your Word and seek Your face. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.