The Power of God's Word.—The word of God, given us in the Bible, is the revelation of God in human language, the power of God unto salvation to those who believe, the Gospel of the Son of His love.
Creation.—One of the greatest manifestations of the power of God's word is the existence of the material heavens, the earth, created and upheld by the power of God. It is this which the Bible ever presents as the one characteristic of the one true God. The Lord that made the heaven and the earth, or words of similar meaning, are frequently met with in the word of God. The creation is the one great proof of His power and Godhead. See Ex. 20:8-11; Isa. 44:24; 45:18. And these proofs of His power, His glory, as declared by the heavens and earth (Ps. 19:1-6), leave men without excuse (Rom. 1:19, 20).
The True God and the False.—In the contrast which is so frequently drawn in the Word of God between the true God and the false, it is God's power as Creator which is ever brought forth as His distinguishing characteristic. “The Lord is the true God, He is the living God.” Jer. 10:10. “For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord [Jehovah] made the heavens.” Ps. 96:5. “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He [Jehovah] hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion.” Jer. 10:11, 12. “Fear God, and give glory to Him; . . . and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:7. See also Acts 14:15; 17:24-26.
The Agency of the Word.—But all of the creative works of God were wrought through His word. “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spake, and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:6, 9. It is by the same word that God's works hold together (consist) and are preserved. Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3. Certainly it is this creative power of God, this being able to speak something into existence when it did not exist before, which above all things else makes the Lord “a great God, and a great King above all gods.” See Ps. 95:3-5. The power of every enemy of God is limited in both extent and duration. Their power is confined to present resources, and the only way of adding to their power is by enlisting other voluntary agencies. But God's power is infinite. While He oftentimes seemingly has nothing with which to oppose the enemy, He can bring out of that nothingness unlimited resources by the power of His word. The potency is in the word. He speaks and it is. “God hath chosen the . . . things which are despised, . . . yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Cor. 1:27-29.
The Word of Christ.—But all this word of the past was spoken by Christ. It was the Son of God by whom “were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Col. 1:16. He upholds “all things by the word of His power.” Heb. 1:3. Of Him the Spirit speaks: “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands. They shall perish, but Thou remainest; . . . Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.” Heb. 1:10-12.
Why This Revelation?—Why has God given us all this revelation of His wondrous power and wisdom manifested through His Son in the creation of the heaven and earth? Of what use is it to us?—God has revealed this to us that we may have hope: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. Man finds himself here a poor lost, condemned sinner, ever joining the long procession which enters the doors that never outward swing. Of Himself He is without2strength, without hope. Well, God has revealed all that He has concerning the power of Christ and His Word that we may know that He who came down to earth, died to redeem us, and lives to save us, is able to do it despite all the powers of sin and death. The creative power of the Son of God is pledged in Him for our salvation. Is not this a well-spring of hope?
