Though my father was an electrical engineer and my husband always tried to help me better understand scientific stuff, I was never very good at understanding such things. However, their knowledge and wisdom did rub off on me over the years, which protected me from electrocuting myself or blowing something up. One of the things I learned along the way was the importance of the ground wire in electrical wiring. In simple English I learned that the ground wire keeps fires from starting or shock from occurring, when there is excess electricity heading through the wire. As per its name, it sends the extra power straight to the ground.
Having lived in both 110 and 220 volt countries, I appreciate this extra layer of protection to keep things stable. What keeps us stable emotionally or spiritually, though, when life continues to ramp up the voltage through sickness, conflicts, security issues, or attacks from the evil one?
God’s Word.
After forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was exhausted, and just like he many times targets us in our weakest moments, Satan thought he could have a go at the Son of God. He must have thought he was feeling his limitations in this human body, surely his divinity would not enable him to overcome the tests of the great deceiver. Satan miscalculated as usual, however, because Jesus had just what we have in our weakest moments—the Word. The rhema, the utterance of God.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4 NIV (Emphasis mine)
Every utterance of God, as his Spirit makes the Word (logos) alive for us is what protects us from the shocks Satan sends our ways. When we take up our Sword of the Spirit, this rhema of God, and speak it back to the one who attacks, he is grounded, where he belongs.
Whether you’re living on the mountain-top of a 220-volt spiritual experience with the Lord or in the 110-volt valley, we all need the ground-wire of the Word to keep us balanced. Being in the Word on a daily basis helps us at times when we are tempted to let a spiritual experience draw us away from truth. The Word is also what keeps us steadily energized for the good works the Lord has prepared in advance for us to do. The Word reminds us that we don’t have to work for our salvation or to please God, but that it is by his grace we are saved and we serve out of our love for him.
So, the Word not only keeps us grounded against attacks, but it also works like a surge protector that maintains our energy level both when surges hit and power fails. For this reason, the Lord was constantly telling the Israelites to remember what he had told them. Deuteronomy is full of this word, but Paul uses it as well. Putting God’s Word to memory allows it to be a natural surge protector against sudden power failures when our spiritual tank is empty.
Stay Plugged In
I’ve beat this analogy to a pulp, but I can’t leave it until I remind you that neither a ground wire or surge protector can work, if you’re not plugged into the source of power in the first place.
For the word of God is alive 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
Being in the Word is not just reading a book like any other. It is where we gain our strength, our understanding, our wisdom, and discernment. The Word is what enables us to speak truth to lies, share the good news of Christ, and live with hope in a lost and dying world.
It is our source of power and enables us to stand firm against all other powers and authorities that rage against the God we serve. So, stay plugged in daily, and his Word will keep you firmly grounded and protect you from all harm.
Grace and Peace
Great words of wisdom and encouragement. Now we need to do this!
Thank you, Eugenia. So true! Praying you’ll feel his power and protection today and always.