The Unfailing Word of God
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone , small or great, except the king of Israel." When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "Surely this is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.
But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded."
All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died . . . They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the LORD had declared. I Kings 22:29-38.
Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone , small or great, except the king of Israel." When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "Surely this is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.
But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded."
All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died . . . They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the LORD had declared. I Kings 22:29-38.
The power of God's word is simply astonishing! The Bible declares in Isaiah 55 that God's word will never return to Him empty, but will always accomplish the purpose for which He sent that word! I think it's rather critical to our holistic well-being that we take time just to marinate in the Presence of God and meditate upon His word. That, I believe, is the greatest boost to our faith, confidence, boldness and self-esteem. The word will always nourish our weary soul.
David found the secret to life when he said, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. . . . They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:7-10).
When Ahab and his wife Jezebel murdered Naboth and stole his vineyard, God gave him a word of judgment through the prophet Elijah: "In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood." Even though Ahab humbled himself and parts of the judgment were posted to come upon his son in the future, God's word was fulfilled and Ahab's blood was licked up by dogs. Interestingly, Ahab died from a "random" bow shot!
Also, Ahab had arrogantly boasted that he was going to return safely from battle but God's servant, Micaiah, had said to him, "If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." Needless to say, Ahab did not return safely -- he died in battle. Whatever God declares must come to pass no matter how long it takes because as the Scripture declares, it is impossible for God to lie.
Standing upon God's word is never easy when it seems so long in its fulfillment and the circumstances seem rather discouraging. But be encouraged; get up when you fall down. Weep when you have to weep but always come back to the throne of grace with faith, gratitude and expectation because God will fulfill His word to you!
David found the secret to life when he said, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. . . . They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:7-10).
When Ahab and his wife Jezebel murdered Naboth and stole his vineyard, God gave him a word of judgment through the prophet Elijah: "In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood." Even though Ahab humbled himself and parts of the judgment were posted to come upon his son in the future, God's word was fulfilled and Ahab's blood was licked up by dogs. Interestingly, Ahab died from a "random" bow shot!
Also, Ahab had arrogantly boasted that he was going to return safely from battle but God's servant, Micaiah, had said to him, "If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." Needless to say, Ahab did not return safely -- he died in battle. Whatever God declares must come to pass no matter how long it takes because as the Scripture declares, it is impossible for God to lie.
Standing upon God's word is never easy when it seems so long in its fulfillment and the circumstances seem rather discouraging. But be encouraged; get up when you fall down. Weep when you have to weep but always come back to the throne of grace with faith, gratitude and expectation because God will fulfill His word to you!
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that your word is absolutely trustworthy. Please help me stand strong and expectant and to hold on by faith to the evidence of things not yet seen. Amen.