The Word of God has many functions (Pt. 1)
May 17 in The Word
His Word is our greatest investment. Joshua was instructed: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8-9
As you fill yourself with the Word, you fill your heart with a wisdom that brings life. Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”. As you read the Word it shows His ways in contrast to our own.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” He sees things from a different perspective, He sees the end from the beginning; the bigger picture. Just like the eagle who has a wider and higher vision from above.
We are limited by our lack of knowledge and we therefore limit Him – the Scriptures teach us about who He is, they reveal His character, His nature, His infinite ways.
The Word of God has many functions:
1. It is used to exhort, equip, uphold, train, restore, revive and strengthen us.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
2. It is our best map and guide book – It is a lamp unto our feet.
“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding;Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:97-105 – His Word shows us what path to take, even if sometimes His way may seem to be the one that does not make sense. He has a plan!
3. It Sanctifies: cleanses, washes us.
In George Muller’s extract we read how he would start the day with the Word, applying it first to himself. The Word will point the finger at attitudes, behaviour, deep things that perhaps no one else can see, but that need addressing in our life. As we do, He washes, cleanses, restores, delivers and heals bringing life; that we may be all that God created us to be. There is no one beyond His reach.
“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” Ephesians 5: 26-27.