Today, I thank God that He speaks so specifically to me, and
that He’s the One Who wants to relate in a special way to everyone.
In worship this morning, we sang “Mighty to Save” — to God. The song’s not at all new to
our church, but it refreshed me. As we worshiped, I studied a bit. And I
remembered a Bible study method.
I started picking up specific words in the song.
“Everyone needs compassion...”
Over the last several months the truth of my need for
receiving compassion grew dauntingly real as someone dear and close to me
needed it in a critical way.
“A love that’s never failing…”
In the throes of pain, shock and crisis, the concept of a
never-failing love becomes a go-to comfort and promise. And when I’ve made a
mistake, or someone I love is in grave danger, I have begged, “Let mercy fall on me,”(her/him). And the
words of a song glorify God and His mercy.
Singing, “The hope of
nations,” I consider my friend, Janelle, born on the Navajo Reservation, the
Navajo Nation. She indeed brings hope
to her nation by allowing her Lord to work through her.
And “My God is Mighty to Save.” Mighty.
To another woman worshiping with the same song, she perhaps
emphasizes the word “everyone” in the phrase, “Everyone needs compassion.” This
Christ-follower experiences cruelty at work from someone, and longs for
compassion. Then she recognizes by the Holy Spirit that the manager acting
cruelly, may need to experience compassionate help herself. Everyone needs it.
For a young man discerning a call from God, the word nations
in the phrase, “The hope of nations,” leads him to a deep swallow, and a thanks
to God for the Holy Spirit nudge, which comes in the form of a life direction
shift toward international missions.
Do certain words especially resonate with you in music
worship?
What about during Bible study? Have you experienced moments when
you felt God brought specific words and phrases in Scripture to your attention
because of a challenge or victory in your life? Do you enjoy wonderfully
wasting time in the Word? Do you study the Bible much at all?
I’m thankful for those lazy times of discovery in the Word.
And I urge seeking people to dig into the Word, and intentionally emphasize
different words, and let the verses of God’s love letter to you become integral
with your identity.
I love Ephesians 2:10.
God rewards me greatly when I pick apart specific words and appreciate
them. I like comparing specific words of the excerpt from the letter to the
church in Ephesus in different translations.
Ephesians 2:10
New International Version
(NIV)
10 For we are God’s
handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
New Living Translation
(NLT)
10 For we are God’s
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good
things he planned for us long ago.
(Both versions copied from Biblegateway.com.)
In the NIV version, we are called God’s handiwork. It sounds
purposeful, as if His great skill and attention were fully on the task of
making me. In the NLT, we are called God’s masterpiece. I like that even
better. In fact, I love it. I gain the sense of “and he called it good.” I feel
God’s deep pleasure in my mere existence when I read that I’m His masterpiece.
In the NIV version, how I read it, the phrase “created in
Christ Jesus,” reminds me Christ Himself is my Creator, too. It’s one of those tricky Trinity
moments, a conscious reminder – in my personal mind and interpretation - that
Jesus is God, God is one, and thus Jesus made
me and is too, Creator. That may not
be the contextual meaning, but it’s something I gain. And it’s good.
In the NLT version, I think more of my rebirth in Jesus Christ when I accepted Him as Savior. I see the
moment of being cleansed by His sacrifice and defeat of death. Both views,
Jesus as Creator and Jesus as Savior, hold true. Still, the nuances of words
say slightly different things to me, even though the overall meaning I
understand matches exactly for both translations.
Ah, I wonder so much why it is I find such adventure in the
Bible. My curiosity and hunger will remain insatiable; they’re a gift from Him,
not a habit or character quality of mine. And in the truth of that, why is it
that I would ever fail to set aside time with God in His Word? I definitely
miss out when I pass on it for a day.
Reading the passage aloud, I can emphasize different words.
When I say “we” louder than the rest, I remember I’m part of the Body of
Christ. All of us are God’s masterpieces, all of us with special works prepared
for us.
When I say “advance” from the NIV version with more
conviction, I am touched that God foreknew that I would accept Christ and
desire a kingdom purpose. When I whisper the word “good,” I consider how much
the world needs more good works, good things.
To a person feeling dubious about the Word of God, none of
this may convince you. Still, I invite you to try it.