God’s Word is God’s thoughts and commandments put in print for our learning and living. We know the Old Testament was written on a variety of material like papyrus and parchment, often in the form of scrolls. The Jews treasured these writings and also taught their children by verbal communication of the great wonders and miracles of God.
Jesus quoted many times from the Old Testament and by doing so, demonstrated His extensive knowledge of the Scriptures. He presented Himself as the fulfillment of God’s prophecies of the Old Testament. He demonstrated how events and prophecies were fulfilled in His person and work. The New Testament then builds upon this foundation.
The author to the Hebrew Christians wanted his readers to keep one thing in focus. Jesus is superior to everyone and everything. So, he directed their minds to God’s Word. Remember John 1:1; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). After Jesus was put to death, He rose again and eventually ascended to the right hand of His Father where He is ruling today (Heb. 1:1,13).
God’s Word can’t be destroyed (Matt. 24:35; Is. 40:8). Moses threw the first stone tablets down, which contained the Ten Commandments, at the foot of the mountain and shattered them (Ex. 32:19), but God has written His Word on our hearts (Heb. 8:10). When we have God’s Word inscribed on our hearts, we cannot be plucked out of God’s hand (John 10:28) But as one wise man told me, we can certainly jump out of His hand.
God’s Word will last for eternity (1 Peter 1:25; Ps. 119:89) and will judge us on the last day (John 12:48). God’s word is all-powerful and everlasting. As it is written upon our hearts, it endures far beyond the fleeting measures of time.
It also has the power to discern so one can make wise choices (Ps. 119:105; Pro. 2:6; 2 Tim 3:16-17). We live daily with His Word guiding us, guarding us and comforting us. We know our future is bright, because He has promised us a dwelling place with Him for eternity (John 14:6).
Let these words encourage each of us so we will not fall away because of an unbelieving heart. We may not have experienced Jesus’ presence while He walked and taught the first time here on Earth, but we will see Him again when He returns for us. We will be caught up into the clouds to meet Him in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thes. 4:17).
We will all stand before the judgement seat of God (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10) and will be judged by this Word (John 12:48). Nothing will be hidden because the Word of God is the light that dispels darkness. The Word of God is capable of judging more than the actions of our deeds, it can expose the intentions and motivations behind the deed, whether good or bad (Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Cor. 4:5).
My prayer is for each of us to make an earnest effort to seek God’s Word and, when we find it, bury it deep within our hearts, so when adversity and discouragement come our way, we can defend ourselves against it. Let us begin to prepare ourselves by assembling around the throne of grace this Sunday at 10:30. In Christ, Steve
NOBLE CHURCH OF CHRIST