Yes, it’s good to read God’s Word. Yes, it’s good to receive it into our hearts, to think on its wisdom, to love its statutes, its precepts, its commandments, its decrees, its principles, and especially the God who gave them.
Then, as we allow them to take root in our hearts and grow as we put them into practice, live our lives by them, walking with Him by faith, the seeds of sin will be choked out and its shame and guilt with them, leaving room for the full bloom of the peace of God.
“As God has said:
‘I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.’ (Lev. 26:12; Jer 32:38; Ezek. 37:27)
Therefore,
‘Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.’ (Isaiah 52:11; Ezek 20:34,41)
And,
‘I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.’ (2 Sam 7:14; 7:8)
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
2 Corinthians 6:16b-7:1
“Not only so,
but we also glory
in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering
produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5
In our suffering, our grief, our trials, our pains, no matter what form they take, and no matter what the enemy tries to whisper in our ear, we can yield to God’s will – the death of our flesh and the deepening of our faith, and feast on the power of the Holy Spirit within us giving us strength and courage and boldness and faith and peace.
And as He shapes us into the image of Christ, we will magnify and glorify Him, and we become witnesses to the world of the faithfulness, righteousness, holiness, and goodness of Jesus Christ.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20