0406. 399. God’s Word
399. God’s Word
The Psalmist says: “Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name” (Psa_138:2), therefore we do well to glorify it above everything else. It is—
1. Divine in its Source. To take but one book, the Acts, we find the Word is referred to thirty-five times. As “the Word of God” (Act_4:31; Act_6:2, Act_6:7; Act_8:14; Act_11:1; Act_12:24; Act_13:5, Act_13:7, Act_13:44, Act_13:46; Act_17:13; Act_18:11; Act_19:20) thirteen times; as “the Word of the Lord,” eight times (Act_8:25; Act_11:16; Act_13:48-49; Act_15:35-36; Act_16:32; Act_19:10); as “the Word,” thirteen times (Act_4:4; Act_6:4; Act_8:4; Act_10:36, Act_10:44; Act_11:19; Act_13:26; Act_14:3, Act_14:25; Act_15:7; Act_16:6; Act_17:11; Act_20:32); and as “Thy Word,” once (Act_4:29).
2. Dynamic in its Operation. Notice what it says about His Word in the Epistle to the Hebrews—Heb_1:3; Heb_2:2; Heb_4:12; Heb_6:5; Heb_11:3; Heb_13:7. There lieth in the dynamite of God’s Word all the latent possibilities of the life of the Almighty.
3. Definite in its Claim. The Epistles to the Thessalonians illustrate the claims of the Word. It is “the Word” in its authority (1Th_1:6), “The Word of the Lord” in its message (Heb_1:8; Heb_4:15; 2Th_3:1), and “the Word of God” in its power (2Th_2:13). The Word claims the faith of our obedience, the loyalty of our love, and desire of our Hope.
4. Distinct in its Prophecy. The Book of the Revelation may illustrate what is found in many places. Christ is the Key—Rev_19:13, to keep it is our responsibility—Rev_1:9; Rev_3:8, Rev_3:10; Rev_6:10; Rev_12:11; Rev_20:4; and to bear record of it is our privilege—Rev_1:2.
5. Distinguishing in its Message. The many qualifying words of the Word indicate its manifold message. It is a Word of Life to quicken—Php_2:16; the Word of Faith to beget faith—Rom_10:8; the Word of Reconciliation to assure—2Co_5:19; the Word of God to slay—Eph_6:17; the Word of Christ to indwell—Col_3:16; the Word of the Lord to reveal—1Th_4:15; the Word of Faithfulness to keep—Tit_1:9; the Word of Righteousness to adjust—Heb_5:13; the Word of Incorruption to endure—1Pe_1:23, 1Pe_1:25; and the Engrafted Word to fructify—Jas_1:21.
6. Devoted in its Promises. The Word, as such, is coupled with what the Spirit calls “The word of all His good promise.” Solomon confessed that not “one word” of God’s good promise “failed” (1Ki_8:56). His promises and the performance of them is continually referred to—Psa_105:42; Act_13:23, Act_13:32; Act_26:6-7; Rom_4:20; Gal_3:14-29; Heb_6:13-17; 2Pe_3:4, 2Pe_3:9, 2Pe_3:13.
Another interesting Bible study might be worked out in connection with the words “He,” or “The Lord,” “hath promised”—Exo_12:25; Deu_12:20; Deu_26:18; Jos_23:10; 2Ch_6:15; Rom_1:2; Heb_12:26; Jas_1:12; Jas_2:5; 1Jn_2:25.
7. Dedicating in its Influence. When we call to mind what the Lord says He will do by means of His Word, we can see how beneficent and practical it is in its in-working and out-working. Let us confine our thought to Christ and His teaching. He taught the Word was a fruit-producer—Mat_13:23; a victory-gainer—Mat_4:4; a disciple-witnesser—Joh_8:31; a sanctifying-obtainer—Joh_17:17; a love-prover—Joh_14:23; a prayer-answerer—Joh_15:7; and a heart-assurer—Joh_5:24.
By: DR. F. E. MARSH