Kansas City is alive with excitement as the Kansas City Royals approach a World Series that has eluded them for twenty-eight (28) years. The team has been blessed with young and exciting players that have added personality and flair to Kansas City baseball. One of its newer players is Gerrod Dyson, who is noted for his extraordinary speed. When asked by sportscasters as to the secret of his ability to steal so many bases during a game, he humbly and laughably replied, “Dats what speed do!” After reading Gerrod’s response, I felt humorously inspired to write this week’s teaching on the extraordinary power of God’s Word.
God’s creative WORD was evidenced throughout Genesis. God would speak and it was done. Darkness separated from light and the result He called night and day (Gen. 1:4-5). God said “let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven” and the sun and the moon came into existence (Gen. 1:15-16). Greater still was God’s Word of salvation in which He sent His only begotten Son to save us from sin’s death grip. “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me” (Heb. 10:5).
God’s transformative WORD can be found in both the New and Old Testament with the clearest benefits being outlined in Psalm 19. Ps. 19:7-8 uses several descriptors to convey the power of God’s Word in the life of the believer. “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” God’s Word transforms by reviving the sorrowful soul, making wise the ignorant, and giving joy and light to its reader.
God’s prophetic WORD bears witness to His claim as the only all-wise Sovereign of both heaven and earth. His spoken Word becomes reality (Num. 23:19). Throughout the history of Israel, God’s WORD guaranteed deliverance, protection, and provision (Is. 7:7) resulting in confidence and trust in Him alone (Dan. 10:19). “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught” (Is. 50:4).
God’s effectual WORD is “living and active” (Heb. 4:12). His Word, whether read or spoken, will “not return empty but will accomplish the desire and the purpose for which it was sent” (Is. 55:11). God’s Word accurately hits its target—the broken heart, the wayward soul, or the spirit of disobedience. Because of its effectiveness and accuracy, it can be trusted to bring the unredeemed to salvation (2 Tim. 3:16; 4:2).
God’s WORD is the source for all we need in navigating life on this side and in preparing for life on the other. How can believers live victoriously in a world that is anti-Christ and dangerously fallen? We can faithfully embrace what God has taught us in His Word (Col. 3:6-7). We can maintain joy in the midst of life challenges (1 John 1:4). We can experience peace rather than fear (Phil. 4:6-7). Why? Because “Dat’s what God’s Word do!”