“Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?”

Jeremiah 23:29

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “The pen is mightier than the sword.” If you have ever been on the receiving end of a hurtful, angry text, you can attest to the power of the written word. Words can be weapons—they sting like a slap, but the pain lasts far longer. Words can cause permanent damage to relationships and have the power to break hearts. But words can also encourage, they can pledge one’s love for another, and they can relay urgent warnings that save lives. They can even become the glue that helps to mend those broken hearts. 

God’s Word, however, is exceedingly more powerful than any of that! Like fire, it is alive and active! (Hebrews 4:12) It is powerful; its energy is an unstoppable force! (Job 42:2) It purifies our hearts as it purifies gold. (Zechariah 13:9) God’s Word is also like a mighty hammer. So powerful that it smashes not only rocks, but also the lies that we allow to control our hearts, because no lie can stand up against God’s truth. (Proverbs 12:22) His Word smashes the shame that wants to label us, because His grace covers all sin (Romans 6:14), and His love keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5) His Word smashes fear and anxiety, it crushes pride, and it pulverizes strongholds. It turns selfishness to rubble, and it obliterates hate until it is dust.    

Ask God to burn away all impurities in your heart and crush anything that hinders your faith, anything that keeps you from His Truth. Ask Him to crush the lies, shame, fear, pride, and strongholds that keep your heart far from His. And ask Him to shape your heart according to His standards, not your own. Then sweep up all that soot, all that rocky mess, and press on. You are loved!