GOD’S WORD LIVING AND POWERFUL
By M. C. W.
THAT Word has power to change the heart. The wonderful gospel of nature is revealed to us in the first six verses of the nineteenth psalm. The very manifestation of God’s power in His wonderful works should teach man to reverence the Creator. But the higher school of life is revealed from the seventh verse onward, which opens with: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” All these expressions refer to one and the same thing, the great law of God; for the soul that will open itself in faith and receive it, we may know that it will work the change which God designed should be wrought by His word. That word of God is a word of invitation to all,—not simply to the Jewish people, but to the people without. Therefore we read: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45: 22. And a little later, the same prophet voices the Spirit of God: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55: 1, 6, 7. The called-out ones who receive this word will themselves become a revealing church; that is, that which has molded and changed their own life they will reveal to others. But one scripture upon this — many might be given: “Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.” “Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvelous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place. Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. . . . Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear before Him, all the earth.” 1 Chron. 16: 8, 24-30. POWER TO CHANGE AND TO KEEP
That Word which has power to change, to convert, to translate from a kingdom of sin to a kingdom of righteousness, has also power to keep. This is the experience of one who had passed through the transmutation: “Concerning the works412of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Ps. 17: 4. It not only keeps, but it warns as well. Thus another scripture reads: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Ps. 119: 11. And this Word rises above all human expression to the contrary. Great men may arise who will oppose it. False prophets may multiply who will have contrary teaching. Thus are they contrasted by the prophet of God: “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not My word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jer. 23: 28, 29. THE COMING CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH
That Word revealed the coming Christ. Of this we have had evidence. It reveals that coming not simply in His glory, but in His humiliation. See Isa. 52: 13 to the close of chapter 53: “His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; bears our griefs, and carries our sorrows. The same prophet also speaks of the result of the humiliations of Christ, and the message which His followers would bear: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isa. 52: 7. And again: “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” Isa. 40: 1, 9. That word of God received begets within love and devotion to the Word. Said Jeremiah: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart.” The old Idumean patriarch Job esteemed the words of God’s mouth more than his daily food. And Daniel, the beloved of God, who was doubtless the author of the one hundred and nineteenth psalm, says, “O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” M. C. W.