(emphasis mine)
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.

What really penetrates to the heart-level that is good in this world? Many enter into relationships and like to keep things fairly superficial. It is easier that way. Maybe they can protect themselves from getting hurt? Vacations are remembered, but they do not penetrate to the heart, they are just fun. Jobs, election wins, income increases, family health, etc. - these are all things that can provide happiness at times. But what truly penetrates to the heart-level?

God is all about heart-level relationships. He is not superficial or trying to act a certain way to get us to like him. Instead, while being all-powerful, all-knowledgeable, and present everywhere at the same time, he wants to get to know us fallible and weak humans at a heart-level! Incredible!

So how do we get to know God? Prayer, meditation, and acting like he does in doing good works are all parts of building a relationship with him. And critical also to this process is knowing his Word, the Bible. This book is incredible. With words, God created the universe and the earth, the animals and the trees and plants, the ocean and its teaming animals. And with a phrase he created man.

So we know his words are powerful. And he left us an entire book of the words he inspired his authors to write. These words give spiritual life, just as his words at creation gave physical life. They enrich our souls! So we need to digest his Word, seek to understand it and act on it. And because it is active and interacts with us, it will transform our hearts.

Look at the active verbs in this passage: alive, active, penetrates, dividing, and judging. God’s word goes deep into our hearts, and into the dark spaces of sin. It lifts up the mattress, pulls back the curtains, looks under the bed and in the closest … and it cleans house in our hearts, if we will let it do so.

The Word of God at once encourages us in our goodness, gives us strength in trials, convicts us of our sin, and keeps us out of bad and harmful situations by obeying it.

Lord, I will take a heaping plate and a second helping of your Word today! Train me by it and root out any evil way in me. May I shine with the radiance of a soul purified by your Word and your Spirit!