David writes in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven.” There is something about the Bible, the Word of God, that has captured hearts and minds for generations. Over the years, God’s Word has been subjected to many challenges – it has been burned, discredited, questioned, made suspect and much more. Still, today God’s Word remains standing. People, opinions and seasons may come and go, but His Word remains the same.
There is life in God’s Word
One important aspect in studying the infallibility of God’s Word is to have the Word speak on the Word! Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father saying, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.” (John 17:17).
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (John 1:1). By His Word the heavens were made (Psalm 33:6), and He upholds all things by the power of His Word. (Hebrews 1:3). God’s Word is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12). Every Word that goes out of God’s mouth, will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what pleases Him and prosper in the thing for which He send it. (Isaiah 55:11).
God reveals Himself through His Word. (1 Samuel 3:21). God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path. (Psalm 119:105). The entrance of His WORDS gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130). God’s Word comforts (Psalm 119:15) and heals and delivers from destruction. (Psalm 107:20).
To the hungry the Psalmist writes, “Your WORDS are sweet to my taste; when I found Your words, I ate them and they brought joy to my heart”. (Psalm 119:103). When God’s Word dwells in us richly, we are able to teach and encourage others (Colossians 3:16) and overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6).
The rich treasure of God’s Word to those who love it is immeasurable!
Principles to uphold with regards to the Word
For those reading God’s word, it is important to remember that we are not first of all to evaluate the Word, but to obey it. If we are not willing to take our own thoughts and opinions captive and make it obedient to the Word we may be left vulnerable to the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Because the Word was given to mankind on God’s authority, everyone must make a personal decision to subject themselves to the authority of the Word. There are only two options: either we reject the authority of the Word, or we accept it.
It is important to understand that the Word is the truth, and it is a daily choice to continue to believe God’s Word. The Word is not dependent on our emotions or our intellectual understanding of it. The Word is spirit and truth and must be valued from that perspective.
To come to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ – the Living Word – we have to believe the written Word about Him. Matthew 5:18-19 says, “For truly I tell you, until the sky and earth pass away and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hook will pass from the Law until all things are accomplished. Whoever then breaks or does away with or relaxes one of these least important of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least important in the kingdom of heaven, but he who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
It is such a joy to know that the Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit and that we can therefore trust the infallibility of the Word with great confidence.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 encourages us in this matter: “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness.” And also 2 Peter 1:21: “For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it, but men spoke from God who were moved and impelled by the Holy Spirit.”
Why pray the Word?
Once we fall in love with God’s Word, there is yet another treasure to be found – we can speak His Word back to Him! Isaiah 55:11 says the Word that goes forth from God’s mouth shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish what pleases Him, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sends it.
- God reveals His will in His Word. When we pray the Word, we pray His will, and if we pray according to His will, He will hear our prayers. (1 John 5:14-15).
- God’s Word brings faith. Secular books provide knowledge and can bring insight, but it is only when we read the Word that we can come to faith. Therefore, when we pray God’s Word, faith is sown in our hearts. (Romans 10:17).
- The Word reveals God’s priorities. If we pray according to the Word, we learn what these priorities are, and then we will be able to align our personal lives according to these priorities.
- The Word has authority. When the Father created the universe, He did so through His Son, the Word. The Word spoke a Word and there was light and life and people and heavenly bodies. Today, if we proclaim the Word, we make a declaration in the spiritual realm – the Word still has the same power. It has the power to give life and to recreate, because we call upon the living Word who keeps His Word and will fulfil His promises.
- The Word teaches us about God – about His character, His being, power, abilities and attributes. It helps us to understand God better, and to pray with more faith.
- The Word fills us with hope. Ephesians 1:17-19 states: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” What a wonderful promise and encouragement to fill your heart and mind with God’s Word every day as you seek His face in prayer!
Therefore, continue to READ the Word, to PRAY the Word, to BELIEVE the Word, to OBEY the Word, and to LIVE according to the Word!
Download: 11 Ways to treasure God’s Word (JPG)
