February 23 2026

Monday February 23

The Word that Hurts Can Also Heal

Ephesians 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat today! It appears that we have parked for a while on Ephesians 6:17. This wonderful verse reminds us that every day we can put on the helmet of salvation. It also reminds us to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, so that we may be able to “stand in the evil day—and having done all, to stand.” And if we have ever lived in evil days, it is today.

We’ve been talking about the Word of God. Yesterday, we discussed hiding the Word of God in our hearts—meditating on it, memorizing it, and placing it deep within our souls. We let it become our guide, our protection, and our shield. It is also the sword of the Spirit, which enables us to stand against the enemy. But not only that—it can also deal with our own hearts. That is what we want to talk about today.

Just as a physical sword can wound to harm and cause pain, the same sword in a surgeon’s hand, can be used to heal. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, wounds in order to heal and to give life. That is very important, my friend. When God’s Word convicts you, it may feel painful—but it is a holy pain.

I think of Psalm 51. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and deceitfully arranged for her husband to be killed in battle, he was broken when Nathan the prophet confronted him about his sin. In his prayer of repentance, David cried out in verse 7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” We have already talked about how it is the Word of God that cleanses and washes us.

Then in verse 8 he prays, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.”

David had been a shepherd. If a lamb wandered away, he would bring it back. If it wandered again and again, after repeated discipline, there were times when a shepherd might break the front leg bones of that lamb—not to destroy it, but to save it. He would then carry it on his shoulders until the bones healed. David understood this imagery. He knew he had been broken over his sin. His “bones” had been broken. And he prayed, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.” He understood that the hurt also brought the healing. And that healing comes only through God’s truth and God’s Word.

I also think of Hosea chapter 6—one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. After the people of God had sinned and were warned by the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah that they would go into captivity, Hosea is called to also to bring them a message of hope. He said to them: “Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (vs. 1-3).

Oh, my friend, how wonderful it is to understand this truth. God might use His Word to tear us up, but He will also use it to heal us. God might use His Word to smite us, but He will also use it to bind us up and revive and raise us up to live! The Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. It may bring pain into our lives as it convicts us of sin, but it also has the power to heal us. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His Word, and healed them.” And Isaiah 53:5 reminds us, “By His stripes we are healed.” The Word of God may first bring conviction and pain, but then it brings healing. That is such a wonderful truth for you and me to remember.

Before healing comes, there must be pain. Before resurrection, there must be the cross. Before glory, there must be suffering. But then, my friend, the Word has the power to restore us and revive us. It brings us back into sweet and wonderful fellowship with the Lord. Are you seeking that today? If you are, you have come to the right place when you come to the Word of God. There is power in that Word. Trust it today. Get into that Word today. Let it soak deeply into your soul and you will find healing for your soul and for your life.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.