There are not many childhood traits that stay with me as far as I can think of, but of the few I have is this: I take words very seriously. Whether they are words being said to me and what I say to others, or promises, both the ones I make and those made to me, I take words as they are.
I remember once when I was seven years young, I went to my mother with a contract I had drafted and convinced her to sign it. On it was an agreement that as a reward for my good marks, she would buy me a doll during the summer holiday. When the time came, I reminded her of her promise and she bought me a doll (although it was not of the brand I wanted, I missed that little detail in the agreement).
But things were not always like that in life, sadly. I have had a fair share of experiences where words were mere words and promises were empty. Confused and hurt, I started to accept that not everyone had the same approach and belief to words. Yet, despite what seemed to be the norm in this world, I somehow managed to keep my faith that words are to be honoured. I just felt that was how it should be even though I did not fully understand why.
The Word
After I became a Christian, I learned that Jesus is the Word by whom God made all things: God spoke and things were.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-3
Everything was made by the Word. God in sovereignty decided it was so. God could decide that when He, as a Spirit, appears things would be created, or when He circles seven times things would be. He is God, He can do anything. But He chose to beget a Son, which is the Word placed in His bosom and decided that by the Word were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.
And the Word was made flesh and was born as a man through an immaculate conception. The Son of God, the Creator, in the form of human flesh. Every word spoken was apt and perfect, full of wisdom and truth and grace, for He was the Word. And He says that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words shall not pass away. That is assuring.
Finally, I ‘found’ someone who takes His words seriously, like I do. Only that He was not like me, but rather, I am like Him (being made in God’s image, we take after His characteristics, and one of His characteristics is that He keeps His word. What He says, is and will be). This trait that was not appreciated in this world became my saving grace because every time I read the Bible, I take His word as it is.
His Word is Like Rain
God’s word is likened to a seed as Jesus shares in the parable of the sower (Mark chapter four), as He unveils the different types of the soil, which speaks of our hearts:
The sower sows the word.
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
But God also uses rain as a picture of His word:
As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
God is saying that when we believe, it is just a matter of time before what He speaks or promises will come to pass. This truth starts when we believe in Jesus Christ and the salvation that comes through His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus is the true Seed that sets the foundation of our hearts. Having Jesus in our hearts changes everything. The ground is now blessed and whatever is sown into it will yield a good harvest, for all the promises of God in Christ are guaranteed.
Happy Rain
That is why we can rejoice every time we receive God’s word, whether through the Bible directly, through an anointed preaching, or through a Spirit-filled prophecy because all it takes is for us to believe, to take God at His word, and His Word will do the rest to the fulfillment of the promise.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mark 4:24-29
When you have this posture in your heart and mind, you can rest the moment you receive His Word. You rest because you believe, you believe that what He has spoken and promised, He will do. As you rest, the word will grow and the fruit is brought forth because the power is in the word. And in due season, you shall reap your harvest, whatsoever you are believing for, in Jesus' name. Amen.
