The Power of the Word of God – Part One

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”  The author of Genesis uses those two verses to begin the creation story.  Life starts in utter darkness, implied chaos and with nothing except Almighty God.  Amazingly, He speaks into the void!  “Then God said, let there be light; and there was light.”  How marvelous, awesome and powerful is the Word of God!

In the midnight of oblivion, God’s word bursts onto the horizon and become the dawn of creation.  God speaks into nothing and makes a whole new universe.  Similarly, in the abyss of our lives, the Word of God can create a whole new life for us.  Yet, the Word of God is under assault.  The fiery challenges of a religiously, theologically, ideologically, ethnically, racially, socially, culturally, economically and politically pluralistic society coerces many believers to question the power of the Word of God.

Many churches no longer operate according to their covenants and biblical principles.  The affairs of the house of God rely upon secular, humanistic and corporate models, in which many believers work and earn their living.  Unfortunately, biblical illiteracy appears to have reached an all-time high.  It is simply amazing the number of lay leaders in the Church who do not know the Bible.  Therefore, they cannot appeal to it for decision-making.  Perhaps, they do not find the Bible relevant for the operation of the household of faith and in their personal affairs.  The scientifically advancing, technologically progressing, consumerist and materially oriented world lead them to depend upon a different paradigm for defining values.  Instead of the biblical principles, they refer to the law and the verities of the scientific method.

A recent anecdote that a parishioner shared with me vividly depicts the moral, ethical and spiritual bankruptcy pervading today’s Church.  She works in the service industry.  As she serves her clients, they share their personal, spiritual, professional, financial, marital and familial problems with her.  In response, she suggests that they stop and pray.  Surprisingly, they answer, “Look, this is serious.  I really need help here.”  More amazing, some of these persons are leaders within their churches!

Consider the possibility that the Bible actually possesses eternal wisdom for each of those foregoing challenges.  Why did not these lay leaders simply search the scriptures for a resolution to the obstacles in their lives?  What leads them to ignore the Bible?  What alternative sources of “spirituality” do they find more beneficial and worthwhile?   I posit the previously mentioned social forces undermine believers’ confidence in the Word of God.  In addition, the refusal of many disciples to prioritize spiritual disciplines in learning and appropriating the Bible in daily living furthers this crisis.

Rather than being indifferent to the Word of God, believers should reaffirm its invaluable position in the Church.  The Bible is a “lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] pathway.”  It is life’s textbook.  It addresses all facets of human experience.  Its drama put the television and movie industry to shame.  Palace intrigue, adultery, murder, betrayal, fratricide, incest, burning romance, embezzlement, poisonous family secrets, etc., all of these human situations and countless others adorn the leaves of holy writ.  These ageless stories illustrate enduring lessons from which we can extrapolate God’s eternal wisdom and guidance.  Rediscover the power of the Word of God!

The grand one hundred and nineteenth psalm is an ode to the beauty of the laws of God.  In its one hundred and seventy-six verses, David utilizes this most lengthy of the psalms to testify passionately to his genuine reliance upon the Word of God.  Whether traveling the wide highway of personal willfulness, David unquestionably trusts the Words of God.  In Psalm 119:65, David commends Almighty God for His faithful provision and unfailing love.  “You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.”  David does separate God’s character and lovingkindness from His word.  Further, David insists that the Word of God provides the only reliable foundation for life.