The Word - part 5
I pray that the last several weeks of blog entries have been a blessing to you as we have examined several of the symbols used to exemplify the Word of God. Today let’s briefly look at four more.
THE WORD IS LIKE A ROD.
Just as Moses had the rod of God in his hand and used it at God’s command, we as Mothers of Nations should have the Word of God ready and in our hand. When we need help, direction, understanding, comfort, or insight into a situation, the Word can be our guide. Moses’ rod was used to lead, separate, challenge the people, and confront the enemy. God’s Word does the very same things for us as we learn to use it in our lives.
Similarly, the Word can be used as a measuring stick. It can separate for us truth from a lie. Years ago when I went to Russia, we stood on street corners and preached the Word. After a mime team would demonstrate the message of salvation in the Word, we would give an altar call. The Russian people were able to decide what side of heaven they wanted to be on, choosing eternal life or turning down the opportunity for salvation. Fortunately, thousands accepted what they saw and heard and chose to receive Christ. The rod of the Word was a standard to reach and they rose to it.
Thinking about your own life, how have you used God’s Word as a ready rod in your hand?
THE WORD IS LIKE WATER.
Another symbol of the Word we find in Scripture is that of water. We know that life cannot exist if it were not for water. Man would die in a few days if he did not have something to drink. Water is necessary for our very existence on earth. There is nothing more refreshing than a cool glass of water. In fact, even a shower is a blessing on a hot, steamy day.
God’s Word does the same for us. It keeps us alive in the midst of a spiritual famine. It sustains us, cleanses, and washes away resistance to the Lord. Ephesians 5: 25b-27 reminds us, "25b just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault."
An anointed Word-filled message can be like a refreshing rain, encouraging our soul. Weariness and emptiness can be changed into energy and fulfillment by washing oneself with the Word. Mothers of Nations, let us not forget the importance of allowing the fresh water of the Word of God to wash over our souls on a daily basis.
THE WORD IS LIKE A SWORD.
Probably one of the most well-known or well-recognized symbols relates the Word of God to a sword.
A divided heart loves the comfort and the promises of the Word, but it despises rebuke. The Word of God is powerful and can “cut to the heart” and expose sin. Sometimes the Word is so strong that people feel as though they have been sliced with a sword. Why? The Word has power to divide man’s thinking and motives from God’s. Exposing human desire and revealing God’s, man is faced with truth and must choose.
The sword of the Word needs to be sharp and not dull. I say that because the Word given needs to be done with the skill of a craftsman. If not, the sword could tear the heart or damage it.
No surgeon would operate without preparing the instruments by cleaning them and making sure they are sharp. It is the same with the Word. Titus 1: 13 (NKJV) says, “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”
The Word of the Spirit divides the sin from the man. A godly heart welcomes the rebuke and learns. Heart-searching messages expounding on the Word help us keep our conscience clear and clean.
Are you familiar with the story of King Edward VI? On the day of his coronation, when presented three swords signifying that he was monarch of three kingdoms, the king said, “There is still one sword missing.” On being asked what that was, he answered, “The Holy Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit and is to be preferred before these other ensigns of royalty.”
Mothers of Nations, always be aware of the power of the sword of God’s Word and remember what Hebrews 4: 12 (NLT) tells us, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
THE WORD IS LIKE BREAD.
To finish today’s entry let’s look at one final symbol. The Word of God is like bread, the staff of life. It is ever fresh and meant for daily consumption. Matthew 4: 4 (NKJV) says, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” We could not make it in our Christian walk without the manna of the Word.
In Deuteronomy 8: 3 (NKJV) we read, "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you to know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."
In Jeremiah 15: 16 (NKJV) the prophet says, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." Jeremiah delighted in the Scriptures he “ate.” He found pleasure in reading and consuming God’s Word.
If we were to attend the reading of our own father’s last will and testament, we would hear what we were to be given from his inheritance. Wouldn’t we be thrilled to learn what we were receiving? The Word is God’s will for us and it testifies of His promises that He has for us.
Job saw the Word of God as something to treasure – to treasure more than His necessary food. We read in Job 23: 12 (NKJV), "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."
And finally, the Psalmist described the Word as better than thousands of coins of gold and silver as in Psalm 119: 72 (NKJV). "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver."
Why was the Word of God considered so powerful to those who wrote of it in the Scriptures? It was because the Word had become their manna, their bread, or what we might say, “their daily bread.” Mothers of Nations, I challenge you to never spend a day without feeding on the Word of God, this "bread of LIFE."
Dr. Sharon Predovich
