“The law of the LORD is perfect.” Ps. 19:7 (NKJV)
People often use the phrase, “good as his word” to assert one’s personal dependability and trustworthiness. Words reflect a person’s true character and show what he or she is about (Matt 12:34; Mark 7:15). This is especially true of God. However, where human words are frail and finite, God’s words are creative, perfect, and powerful. God’s Word reveals much about His nature. God is His Word!
The Word of God refers to Scripture itself. It was Moses who first received the written Word from God. Although written on pillars of stone, The Ten Commandments outlined God’s expectation of man. By obeying them, the Israelite people would be better prepared to live in “right relationship” with God and his fellowman.
In preparing the nation of Israel to enter the Promised Land, God instructed Moses to strongly emphasize adherence to His commands, decrees, and laws (Deut. 6:1-19). These would serve as an abiding written record of God’s person, presence, and ways. The men, specifically, were to “teach and talk” about them in their homes. God’s Word was to not only influence but also shape everything they did—from when they “lied down to sleep at night to when they rose in the morning.”
Different yet all key in revealing God’s nature
In Psalm 19, we see different names that are used for God’s Word such as the law, the statues and the judgments. In each verse, a different set of nouns are used to describe God’s nature revealed in His Word. In using this literary device, the psalmist, highlights the transforming power of God. Through His Word, God converts and makes wise: He rejoices and enlightens the eyes (Eph. 1:18-19). God true character is reflected in the Word He speaks.
The final couplet speaks to the righteous durability of God’s Word—“it endures forever and is true and right.” The Prophet Isaiah rejoiced in the fact that, “The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of God stands forever (Is. 40:8).” God’s Word can even penetrate and judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12-13). Just as “there is nothing hidden from the sun’s heat” (Ps. 19:6), there is “nothing in all creation hidden from God’s sight”. God is Eternal Creator, Transformer, Everywhere present, and All-knowing.
Pursuit of God’s Word is to be desired
God’s Word is to be desired more than monetary riches or physical luxuries. Through His Word, God offers “incorruptible” rewards—spiritual discernment and godly wisdom that will provide the knowledge and sensitivities needed to navigate this world.
Ps. 19:11 offers a final declaration as to the essential benefit of God’s Word—“by them [the Word of God] we are warned and in keeping them there is great reward.” God’s Word is the “fail safe” for man’s conscience. It offers truth that is desperately needed in a postmodern world that denies the need for absolute truth and moral standards.
Our 21st century culture is “imploding” as a result of misinformation and propaganda through intentional abuse of social media thereby making it difficult to differentiate between truth and lies. The acceptance of untruth is so pervasive that a new word was added to the dictionary in 2016 to describe it—post truth. But as believers we are dependent on God, who through His Word, offers the “the way, the truth, and the light.” God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). Consequently His Word can be trusted (Heb. 6:18). God is His Word!
Thank God for His word! If I didn’t have His Word and His promises to get me through these turbulent times, I would be lost. The one thing that I can depend and count on is His ever-lasting Word! Government officials at the highest level, preachers, friends and love ones will lie to you without blinking an eye. But God’s Word is reliable truth!