I wish to encourage you in recognising the workings of God’s Word. In this sensation driven world, where spectacular is wrongly portrayed as normal, and there is constant pressure to outperform others, we believers in Jesus Christ rest in the unshakeable and unchangeable written word of God.
In the mercy of God, His Holy Spirit has gifted mankind with the inspired, living and active… word, which is …sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The apostle Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica, encouraged the believers to recognise how God was working in their lives while they waited patiently for Christ’s return. Paul thanked God constantly… because they received… and accepted the Word of God …not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The written word of the Almighty is timelessly authoritative and relevant. It’s never lazy, nor is it ever out of sync with the sovereign will of its author. Likewise, as Jesus prayed for His disciples, and for us by implication, Scripture is able to sanctify them in the truth; your (God’s) word is truth (John 17:17).
David presents possibly the most detailed and condensed catalogue of titles, characteristics, and benefits of God’s word in Psalm 19:7-9; The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. God’s Word uniquely deposits divine absolutes into the human heart and mind. Truth trains the conscience, transforms the mind, and purifies the heart. Once landed, that truth cannot be erased, nor can it exist without producing a result of some sort. Scripture does a spiritual work, a convicting work, and, when submitted to, a regenerating work. Truth is never inactive, in spite of our frequent inability to perceive it. We do however, get to witness it’s fruit, the response of its hearers, whether positive or negative.
The Psalmist rightly declares that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalms 119:105). Scripture alone provides present truth for the day before us, it also sheds truth upon the intermediate future that’s awaiting us, and it instils hope and certainty for the eternal future that is guaranteed us by the Holy Spirit’s presence. Not surprizing then, that David valued God’s Word, more to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb (Psalms 19:10).
If we want God to do His work in us, we must feed on His Word. As Jesus told His arch enemy in Matthew 4:4,“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God’s truth sets us free from self, sin and the worldly thinking that constantly tries to influence our Christian thinking and values away from God’s absolutes. Scripture never lays dormant, it’s never incapacitated, and it is never without purpose. It’s author never tires or sleeps, He never wastes words, and never speaks without predetermining the outcome that best gives expression to His will.
Be encouraged beloved, don’t settle for cheap imitations, never accept anything other than the genuine written Word of God. Consume it daily, surrender to its sanctifying truths, place it into the lives of others, and praise God for it.
Remember, God’s Word:
- Revives, regenerates the soul to eternal life
- Makes spiritually simple people wise, enlightening our spiritual eyes with understanding
- Generates assurance and security, while raising appreciation, then speaking out praise
- Causes the heart to rejoice, expressing faith and hope