The Power Of God's Word

In the unshaped world before there was man or woman there was darkness, a formless and empty void observed only by God's Spirit. Into this world God spoke and as the vibrations of his words filled that world light broke forth. Created from nothing, existing everywhere with brilliance and vivacity that the universe had never known but will never again be without; there was light. God separated the irresistibly stunning light from the darkness that had been there before the beginning and called it good.

This is the imagery with which the Bible begins.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated he light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:1-4)

The Bible introduces God's word perfectly. God's word causes light to burst forth in the midst of darkness that has never known light, and from then on it has never ceased to provide light when all other lights go out.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

God's word does more the illuminate and enlighten. It would be incredible enough if that's all it did but throughout scripture we find that when God speaks, realties change, conforming to his word

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Gen 1:3)

'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake." So . . . Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. (Ex 7:9-10)

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:13)

God's word is not just trustworthy in the sense that a good man's word is trustworthy. In Hebrews 6:18 it says that it is impossible for God to lie. Based on what happens when God speaks, it appears that the actual universe changes, comes into being, and ceases being, at the sound of His word.

This still happens. This is why it is essential for us to read and speak God's word. Because God's promises of faithfulness and compassion and his announcement of free forgiveness have the same power as his first word to creation.

Let there be light.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5)