The Word at work

Talking about the power behind the Reformation, Martin Luther said, “I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And then, while I slept…the Word so greatly weakened [the erroneous system] that never a prince or emperor did such damage to it. I did nothing. The Word did it all.” Later, when Luther was asked about his preaching philosophy, he added, “I just threw the Bible into the congregation and the Word did the work!” As human beings, we accomplish a lot with our words. For example, when we order something by phone, our words set a chain of events in motion, and in due course, what we want is delivered to our mailbox. Words perform, and that’s particularly true when it comes to God’s Words. He said, “I am ready to perform My word.” God works through His words. Check these words out: “Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ to the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built’…who says to the deep, ‘Be dry!’…and to the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid’” (Isaiah 44:26-28 NKJV). Things happen when God speaks, and things happen when people speak what God has already spoken. And what’s more, amazing things happen in those who receive what God speaks, namely “the word of God, which…effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV). The fact is that God’s Word refreshes us, heals us, gives us wisdom and discernment, brings us joy and enduring hope by making us spiritually healthy, prevents foolishness and warns us of impending danger, and promises both earthly and eternal rewards when we obey its principles.