Friday, February 1, 2019

Still Standing?


Gordon Crook


Even the strongest of men can only stand for a limited amount of time. It becomes necessary to sit or lie down eventually. Spiritually we cannot stand at all on our own. We must rely on God in order to stand fast.

We are told that God’s word stands forever. It is unmovable, and untiring. It also is settled. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psa 119:89.  That means that God is not changing His mind about what He has said. Many have tried over the centuries to add or take away from what God has said, even claiming to have heard from God Himself. Well, you can be sure that God is not giving any different “Word” today than He has already given us in His Word (The Bible). Gal 1:6-9.

We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that God is like us, and needs to take back something He has said. Or, maybe He needs to say something different because things have changed down here. God’s Word is just as true and applicable today as it was when it was written. Things on this earth may have changed, but man’s heart has not changed. Man’s attitude toward God has not changed.

We need God’s Word, because it is tried and abideth forever. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psa 18:30. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Pet 1:23. No other book, or writing of any sort can make the same claim. What man has to say, or write, is only good for the moment, and will change with time. God can see the end from the beginning, so nothing catches Him by surprise. The Word of God is perfect forever.

The Bible, as a book, has miraculously survived through many attempts to destroy it. Many men had to give their lives to keep the Bible intact, but God has made sure that there was always someone He could use to preserve His Word to us. “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Pet 1:25. Please do not take for granted that you have a Bible, or maybe more than one.

The Word of God cannot pass away, and God will accomplish all that His Word says. “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.” Isa 55:11. Some think that God is not going to keep His Word. We know, from reading the Old Testament, that God does keep His Word. We can be very sure that He will do all that He says.

So, in this world of uncertain and changing times, we need something that is certain and unchanging. God’s Word is certain, and it does not change, because God is certain, and does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb 13:8.