n Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verse two, “And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me.” The words of the coming Messiah would be like a sharp sword that pierces the consciences of all who hear, as in Revelation one, verse sixteen, Revelation two, verses twelve and sixteen, respectively. The “shaft” or arrow may symbolize God’s judgment on those who do not accept His Word.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by His Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud, to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits that were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover the thoughts and purposes of people, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, and the sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” as in John eight, verse thirty-two. However, hearing the Word is good, but holding on to the verses will change a life for the better. The Word of God presents nothing but the truth. Still, the question is, can we handle the truth? Or, can we hold on to the truth?