THE POWER OF THE WORD
by David Sisler
When was the last time you were talking with a friend and you overlooked a kindness that had been done for you? Later, did you think of something special you might have said, and think, “I wish I would have said that.”
When was the last time you were talking with a friend and your words became cross and unkind? Later, did you think, “I wish I had never said that.”
Without ever giving it conscious thought, you take a breath, force air out of your lungs, over your larynx, make the proper shape with your mouth, tongue and lips and then speak. And what great power there is in a word!
Words can heal or words can wound. Words can comfort or words can hurt. Words can bring pleasure or words can bring pain.
The Bible says, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intends of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
In the Old Testament there was the idea of the power of a word. Again and again we get this idea of the creative, acting, dynamic word of God:
“By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6).
“He sent forth his word and healed them” (Psalm 107:20).
“So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
When you turn to the first verses of the Gospel of John, you read of another powerful word. “In the beginning,” John writes, “was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
What, or rather, who is this Word of whom John spoke? That special Word, that unique Expression, is Jesus, God the Son.
Why did John call Jesus, the Word? Many thoughts come to our minds when we think about words.
A “word” is a medium of manifestation. I have in my mind a thought, but no one else knows its nature. But the moment I clothe that invisible thought in words it becomes recognizable. As the Word of God, Jesus manifests the invisible God to us.
A “word” is a means of communication. By means of words I transmit information to others. By words I express myself, make known my will, and impart knowledge. So Jesus as the Word of God, is the Divine Transmitter, communicating to us the life and love of God.
A “word” is a method of revelation. By his words a speaker exhibits both his intellectual caliber and his moral character. And Jesus as the Word of God, reveals the attributes and perfections of God.
Right at the beginning of his gospel, John lays it down that in Jesus, and in him alone, there is perfectly revealed to men all that God always was and always will be, and all that he feels towards and desires for men.
This Jesus is the omnipresent, omniscient, almighty God. Our help is in Jesus, in whom “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Whatever our needs, however great our necessities, Jesus is the powerful Word of God who “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.”
If I have guilt, I can call out to Jesus, the Word of God, and his blood will wash my sins away. If I have needs, I can speak to Jesus, the Word of God, and receive an abundant supply.
Right now, use your own words. Speak to God right out of your heart. Call out to Jesus, God’s powerful, living Word. He is listening for your voice. He will speak peace into your life and richness into your spirit.
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Copyright 2004 by David Sisler. All Rights Reserved.
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