The Word of God

https://odb.org/2024/01/03/spotting-hope

For those familiar with the creation story in Genesis 1, we know that God spoke creation into being. The LORD said let there be light, and there was light. Thus, to create, God used His words as spoken. This is opposed to the Big Bang theory that postulates that everything just evolved over time with things just came into existence just like that in the beginning. There was a big bang, and things just started. No one did anything. Of course, the joke is that the big bang only occurred when God said so at the beginning. John reiterated this by proclaiming that the Word or Logos in Greek, the supreme being or force, was already in existence at the beginning. See John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Greek thought understood that there was a supreme force right at the beginning when all things began.

As believers, we also know that the Bible is the Word of God, and thus, it has the same power and authority as the spoken Word that created all things. The Word is not only in the written form in the context that existed at the time of writing, but it also transcends time as the Rhema Word of God. This means that some words spoken or written many years back may speak to us today to our situation. In fact, God speaks to us mostly through the written Word being applied to our present circumstances and situations. An encouragement to be strong and courageous, specifically directed to Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, may be applied by us as we journey with God in our walk of faith. The context may be different, but the encouragement is the same. The same power and authority that created the world and all things are still present that we believe that as much as we are encouraged, God’s strength and boldness will become ours.

A word of caution, though. As much as God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Word, it is usually for His Kingdom’s sake and our own spiritual growth or relationship with Him. Not so much our own personal interests even though God loves us and has our interests at heart. Some things are a matter of choice and preference, and it is not for us to put it up for Him to decide for us. For example, the colour we like or the shirt we wear or the car we drive. Or should I buy a Taylor or a Gibson or a Martin? Or a Nikon, a Canon or Fuji or Leica. Android or Apple or Huawei? Thus, we should not say that it was God who decided that I should use an Apple phone and not an Android or Huawei.

In closing, I just like to remind us that the Word of God has power and authority over both spiritual forces and the natural. Remember that Jesus spoke to the raging storm, and it calmed down to a whisper. The wind and the waves still know His name today. Call upon the name of Jesus in our difficult struggles, and He will give us rest and the strength to overcome and emerge victorious!