Digging Deeper: Confidence in the Word of God

When you see the word of God, know that it is established, firm, and enduring (1 Peter 1:25; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Numbers 23:19). Once God has spoken, it cannot be changed (Psalm 89:34). Once God has blessed it cannot be reversed (Numbers 23:20). He cannot lie and not one word of all of His good promises have failed (Numbers 23:19; 1 Kings 8:56-59; Joshua 21:45). God has elevated His word above His name (Psalm 138:2). The word of God has purpose and produces that purpose (Isaiah 55:11). He is faithful to His word and His character (2 Timothy 2:13).

The power of God’s spoken word is confirmed in 2 Kings 4. The Shunammite woman who had provided the gift of hospitality to Elisha, the prophet, was given a promise from the Lord confirmed by Elisha. “About this time next year, you shall embrace a son” (2 Kings 4:16). According to the promise the woman bore a son (vs 17). The child grew, but became ill and died while resting on his mother’s lap (vs 20). Following the child’s death, she laid him on the bed where Elisha slept, and went off to find Elisha. This caused her husband to question why she would seek him. Remembering the promise that she would have a son, the woman responded, “All is well” (vs 23). She continued to confirm when asked by others during her search for Elisha, “All is well” (vs 26). Why would this woman respond in such a way, knowing her son was dead? Because she knew the promise. She lined her words up with the word of God. She would not allow the circumstance to persuade her otherwise. Her husband was old and she was barren when the promise was made. She was not going to be moved from the word of God! Elisha entered where the child laid, praying to the Lord. He stretched himself across the child and his life was restored (vs 35)! Promise made God and kept by God, according to the woman’s belief.

Jesus also demonstrates the power of His word. He commanded his apostles to get into a boat and cross over to the other side of the lake. A great windstorm arose while they were crossing. He was asleep during the storm, but the apostles were frightened. The awakened Him in fear. Jesus calmed the storm and rebuked them for their lack of faith. (Mark 4:35-41) Lack of faith in what? He had spoken, “Let us cross over to the other side” (Mark 4:35). When Jesus speaks, it is final! If they knew Jesus, they would have concluded that traveling across the lake was a settled matter! The storm could not limit their journey. The storm had come against Jesus’ word, but the matter was settled because Jesus said!

Have you heard the word of God, read Scripture, found a promise? You are on firm foundation. You must believe His word and establish yourself on that truth. Remember, God’s word will not return to Him void without fulfilling the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11). The enemy may attack His word, cause you to be distracted and doubt His word, but that doesn’t change the word of God. A storm does not have the ability to alter what God has spoken (Psalm 89:34). It is during these times that you must “not fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away (and enjoy to the full) what is promised” (Amplified Hebrews 10:35,36). His word is His will.

God’s word is actually your weapon against the enemy when he attacks God’s word with lies and tries to plant seeds of doubt in your mind. Notice when Jesus was tempted in the desert, with every challenge against the word, Jesus confirmed what Scripture stated (Matthew 4:11). Knowledge of the word is essential so that you can recognize the lie and stand against it by speaking the truth. Your weapon against satan is knowing the truth of what God has said. This weapon is called the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

Notice the temptation in the desert was about causing Jesus to doubt Who He was. That sheds light on something important about the enemy’s tactics. He wants you to doubt what God’s word says about who you are in Christ and your ability in Him. He wants you to doubt these truths because there is power in them. Remember Scripture tells you that right now as Jesus is so are you in this world (1 John 4:17). Revelation of this truth is powerful. If you reflect on Jesus’ life, it suggests that you are mighty in Him and possess His supernatural abilities. No wonder the enemy wants you to doubt who you are as a child of God. You are filled with Jesus’ divine nature, but this comes by knowledge (2 Peter 1:4); knowing His word.

Again, God’s word confirms that it is essential that you understand His truth in order to participate in His blessings. As much as God wants you to fully understand what He has provided, the enemy wants to steal everything God has made available to you through grace (John 10:10). God’s word is firm. It is your weapon. It is your hope. You must know His word and receive revelation of it in order to live in the abundance of what Jesus has provided for you (John 10:10); Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)”.