God's Words
Well, Psalm 12 has really challenged the way we speak. And I wonder if you have had moments like the lady in the picture of this devotion with your hands over your mouth going, oh, I shouldn't be speaking this way.
I hope that we are all learning to be Christ-like in our speech and as we've said this week, to not lie or flatter or boast or honour what is vile.
The Perfect Word of God
See, David, in verse six of this Psalm, contrasts the words of evil people to the flawless words of God. How about this verse? He said: "The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times."
Think about that. God's words are completely without corruption. God's promises are true and pure and trustworthy.
It's not popular to believe this about the Bible anymore. Generally, people believe the Bible is inspired by God in a general way, but that it's basically just people's writing. And there was a time when I thought of it that way.
Understanding Biblical Authority
But I do believe God's revealed Word is in the Bible, that reading it carefully and prayerfully and with the help of Spirit-filled teachers in a Spirit-filled church community, we can read God's Word and be changed and transformed by it.
Remember when Jesus said: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." And remember when He said: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house upon the rock."
And remember when He said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
The Word of God and the words of Jesus are to be trusted, my friends. And so as we soak our minds and our hearts in His Word, we draw nearer to Him. Our love for Him grows deeper, and we learn to not only live like Him, but to speak with the same love and passion that He did.
David found that even if the people around him weren't trustworthy with their words, God's words could be trusted. May you and I find the same to be true in our lives.
Go well, my friends, and remember 4th of September, Church of the Nazarene. Hope to see you. Take care and God bless.
