“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.’” (Genesis 1:1-2a NLT)
When God speaks, things happen! When God speaks, the heavens and earth obey! When God speaks to the darkness, light overpowers it and chases it away! When He speaks, even the demons tremble!
God set a precedent with the use of words. He could have formed the heavens, earth, sea, and sky with His hands, with a motion, even with a thought, but instead He chose to use the power of His words.
We too often forget the power of words when we use them unwisely, cruelly, in anger, unjustly, or with malice or ill intent. We can forfeit the power of words when we remain silent when we should speak, and, at other times, speak when we should have remained silent.
How can we know when to exercise the power of words and when to be quiet? The short and simple answer is when words are called for. But the reason behind every reason is: when God believes words are necessary. What’s the point?
If we will learn to listen to God’s still, small voice, it will save us a lot of heartache and agony of spirit. I’m still learning, so, I’m not an expert, but I can share what He’s teaching me.
How many times have we spoken and almost before the words reach our listener’s ears, we know we shouldn’t have said them? Why did we? Two reasons, we didn’t listen first, but, secondly, we thought we knew what to say and didn’t need to listen. Andy Mineo wrote: “God used words to create this planet so be careful with them.”
Words are my refuge in this season of my life. They are my respite, my hiding place in the midst of the noisy, passion-filled, dangerous moments of my life when I’m struggling to know what to feel and why to feel that way.
Words balance me in ways nothing else can. I can write words, leave them, come back, and they speak to me differently than when I left them. Conversations with myself are preserved in ways that may move me, anger me, frustrate me, or make me hold my belly with laughter. I see things, understand things, wrestle with things that words present to me, and depending on their source, may frighten or disturb me.
I’ve been a lover of words for years, but now, as the Lord is speaking more or, perhaps, I’m just listening more carefully, He’s completing me. He’s expanding my heart, mind, soul, and strength in an effort to receive and, in some ways, absorb each one. With my memory fading, it’s as if I need a constant influx of words to instruct, encourage, inform, awaken, correct, guide, cheer, and heighten my awareness, or a thousand other reasons He may desire or demand my attention.
Perhaps that’s a main reason He gave us His Word – the Bible. In our haste we think we can live as a Jesus follower without ready, studying, memorizing, and hungering for His words, but it’s always to our peril.
We are alive, literally and figuratively, in Christ, because of the power of His words, yet, if we don’t know them, how will we ever live by them? Or share them effectively?
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 