THE WORD OF GOD
Jan
30
Written by:
1/30/2011 12:00 AM
THE WORD OF GOD
Jan. 9, 2011
(Isa 55:10 NIV) As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, (Isa 55:11 NIV) so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Rain and snow water the earth and make it bud and flourish. That is something we can usually depend upon. If we had no rain or snow in Japan for 6 months or one year what would happen? In Elisha`s time there was no rain for 3 ½ years! The result was a disaster. Sometimes there is a drought in Japan, but the farmers can usually depend upon rain (or snow). In regards to God`s word it is always dependable! God`s word always accomplishes the desire and purpose God has for it. Why? God`s word is the truth!
Every day we read, see or hear many things. How do we know what is the truth? We can only know the truth when we compare what we read, see or hear to the word of God. Knowing the word of God is extremely important. I believe one of the best places to learn of the importance of the word of God is in Psalm 119. We do not know who wrote the psalm. Many people believe it was King David. However, the person that wrote the psalm had a great love for the written word of God. The psalm is the longest chapter in the bible. It should be referred to as the WORD chapter of the bible. Almost all the 176 verses of the psalm mention the word of God in some way. The psalm has 22 paragraphs of eight verses each. Lets look at the first eight verses. (Psa 119:1 NIV) Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. (Psa 119:2 NIV) Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. (Psa 119:3 NIV) They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. (Psa 119:4 NIV) You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. (Psa 119:5 NIV) Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! (Psa 119:6 NIV) Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. (Psa 119:7 NIV) I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. (Psa 119:8 NIV) I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
Three of the second 8 verses of Psalm 119 directly refer to the word of God. (Psa 119:9 NIV) How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Psa 119:11 NIV) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psa 119:16 NIV) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
The law, statutes, ways, precepts, decrees and commands in the bible are all part of God`s word. God`s word is the truth! The fact is stated four times in Psalm 119. (Psa 119:43 NIV) Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. (Psa 119:142 NIV) Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. (Psa 119:151 NIV) Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. (Psa 119:160 NIV) All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Yes, the word of God is the truth. The bible tells us what happened in the beginning of the world and what will happen at the end. Everything that is written in the bible has been fulfilled or will be fulfilled in the future. However, the plan God has for our lives will not be fulfilled if we do not live our lives according to the word of God. The bible is our owner’s manual for this life. We should examine all our actions and thoughts according to the word of God. The word of God will help us to discern the truth from the lies of Satan. We should consider how the word of God applies to the situations we encounter in this life. When we live by the word of God joy and peace will fill our hearts. The word of God is a light for our path so we do not have to walk in darkness. The faith of those that live by the word of God will grow. They will be able to realize the potential that God has for them.
Reading the bible is one of the most important things we can do as a Christian. If you are not reading God`s word it is a good time to begin. The beginning of a New Year is a good time to set goals for the New Year. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament. If you read one chapter a day it is easy to read the New Testament in one year. To read the Bible in one year you need to read a little more than three chapters per day. My goal this year is to read the bible in chronological order. The book of Job comes after the first 11 chapters of Genesis. Then Genesis continues.
God`s word will accomplish the purposes for which it has been sent. (Isa 55:10 NIV) As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, (Isa 55:11 NIV) so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. We need to walk according to God`s word so God`s plan for our lives will be accomplished.