As Christians we often say that the word of God is our sole authority for faith and practice. But, what does that really mean to us? How important is the word of God? Psalm 138:2 says, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” The word of God is so important that God has magnified it above His name. God’s name is holy and it should never be shown disrespect. In Exodus 20:7, the Bible says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” It is a grievous thing to take the Lord’s name in vain, yet God has magnified His word above His name.
God’s word is preserved forever. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” God promised Israel that His word would never depart out of their mouths, “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isaiah 59:21) God’s word was true from the beginning; it remains true; and it will never change or pass away, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” (Psalm 119:160)
We see God’s lovingkindness and the truth of His word when He answers our prayers and strengthens us in our soul. Sometimes we say God uses His word to “quicken” us, that is to make us alive again or to revive us when we are down or disheartened. Psalm 119:25 & 88 says, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word… Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.” When God quickens us with His word, it gives us strength to keep going, “So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.” (Psalm 80:18)
Right now it seems like the nations of the world and their rulers reject God’s word, but one day they will praise the LORD when they hear His words. Psalm 138:4,5 says, “4) All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5) Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.”
God’s word is great and true and God has magnified it greatly. He has preserved it for us, and it will never pass away. Thank You, God, for Your wonderful word.