The Power of God's Word

After a week of hot and humid weather, I awoke this morning to the sound of a steady soaking rain. It was a refreshing sound that reminded me of the comparison between rain and His word. Isa 55:10-11 "For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." As I lay in bed enjoying the drumming music of the rain, I thought how it soaks in and causes beautiful growth in the grass, gardens, flowers and trees. Just as much God's Word is doing its work all over the world. When we expose ourselves to God's Word, it accomplishes God's desires in an abundant way.

God's word is backed by God's power. Any warranty is only as good as the one standing behind it. Jer 1:12 "Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it." Sometimes the results of a good rain are not immediately seen. It may be a few days before we notice a growth spurt. In the same way, we soak in God's word and the results may not be seen immediately. It may actually be years before we realize the effect, but God is watching all the time to be sure that the results do come. Much of what we see immediately or with our natural eyes doesn't last, but the effects of God's Word are eternal. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." Isa 40:8

I think God gives us a special opportunity on the Sabbath to receive, rest, relaxation and refreshment, but also to soak in His presence and His word. I find on the Sabbath I don't like to read my regular Bible reading out of duty, but instead to find some passage to quietly meditate on and rejoice in. Often it is in the psalms with some expression of praise, thanks or worship to God, but it could be anywhere. Instead of quickly rushing through I like to just let it settle on my soul and sink in. The more we let God's word sink into us the better! I am often reminded of Martin Luther's words to parents about education, "I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt." It is my heart cry that we all will be unceasingly or increasingly soaking up God's word. Frank Sandford expressed the same thing when he expressed his heart prayer, "Make me the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible."