The Abiding Word
When a word is spoken it puts out sound waves. These sound waves can bounce around objects creating an echo and be heard by those near, but soon it diminishes and silence returns. Man’s words are temporal, just as his flesh is perishable. Peter said that, “all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls…” (I Peter 1.22-25) James reiterates this by saying that our life is like a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4.14) This is the crux of being finite. It is this temporariness that brings insecurity and fear; the uncontrolled fact that life on earth ends, and we know not when.
It is interesting that Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the Word of God. But what is different about Jesus is that He is the Word that abides. He is not the fleeting experience of hearing and then silence, the coming and going or birth and then death. He is eternal reality, not a series of vibrations or energy. The Word of God became manifest in a human body. He became visible, hearable and touchable. As sounds are heard and come into our ear drums and then are perceived by our minds, so the Word of God, as one believes, comes into the spirit. Instead of being forgotten, God the Father, Son and Spirit remain. He makes our life His home, His dwelling place.
When my wife was in boarding school in South Africa, she had a roommate that was aggressively against her faith in Jesus. Even though Helen was persistent in sharing the love of God with this young woman, she would not believe. She lashed out against Helen in physical and verbal abuses. My wife had given her a little New Testament, but she had refused to read it. One day, in a moment of frustration, Helen said that she would no longer cast her pearls before swine. Around twenty-five years later, Helen received a letter from this person saying that this pig had picked up her pearls and was now a believer as well. It was the Word of God that remained with her, even though Helen had long left her life.
The Word of God is the bread of life. Just as one eats bread and it goes into the body, so the Word of God is to be received into our lives. As it encounters our faith, it actively works to accomplish God’s will. The Word is purpose driven. In the book to the Hebrews it says that “it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit.” (Heb. 4.12) The Word of God is not just known by us, but knows us. In verse 13, it reads: “all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Everything is laid bare. The secrets of the heart are revealed. Darkness is exposed. The inner man is transformed.
Thirty-eight years ago Helen and I led a childhood friend of mine to the Lord at his home in Fairbanks, Alaska. Shortly after this, we moved away from Alaska and had lost contact with my friend. Since then, we have had very little contact with him. Well, the other day I received a letter from him. It began with this: “I just wanted to thank you for leading me to Jesus! What an incredible life it’s been so far and I tell people that even after 38 years, every year is more fantastic than the year before.” I didn’t remain next to my friend, but the Word of God did.
Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us. The Word of God is indwelling and actively working out His will. Give Him all your attention. Give Him first place. Seek Him before all else. The Word of God abides in us.
Scriptures to meditate on:
I Peter 1.22-25; James 4.14; John 1.14; 5.36-39; 6.27; 14.22-24; Heb. 4.12