CHAPTER 6 NOT VOID
God tells us that just as the rain which comes down from the clouds must first water the earth so as to bring forth a crop before it returns to the heavens, so also must the Word, which comes from God, accomplish its goal before it returns to Him (Isa. 55:11). Nu.23:19 asks the rhetorical question, "does he (God) speak and then not act? Does he promise and then not fulfill?" (parenthesis added). Just in case we need a specific answer Josh. 21:24 and 23:14 provides it by saying that not one of God's good promises has ever failed. In fact, Jer.1:12 tells us that God is actually watching to see that His Words are fulfilled. This is reaffirmed for us in the New Testament by the Angel Gabriel, who, when talking to Mary in Lk.1:37 said that no Word of God is without power. The foregoing is a literal translation of the Greek words used in that verse.
If you get right down to it, there is nothing more powerful than God's Word. God tells us in John 1:1 that by His Words all things were created and Lk.8:25 shows us that that which He created still yields to His Word. In making His covenant with Abraham there was nothing greater for Him to confirm that promise with than His own Word (Heb.6:13-17 & Gen.22:16-17).
According to Ro.4:21 Abraham believed that God had the power to do what He had promised and we know from Matt.1:1-17 that that promise was kept. Abraham knew that Isaac was the initial answer to God's promise given in Gen.15:4. Therefore, he knew that even if he had to sacrifice Isaac, God would raise him from the dead (Gen.22:2 and Heb.11:19). Abraham didn't think for one moment that God would merely give him a replacement for Isaac. God had promised him a son and that is what he had. And it was to be from Isaac the promised heirs would come. Gen.22:5 clearly shows us this, for Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac were going to worship and then "we will come back..." (emphasis added).
Abraham's faith went far beyond merely knowing that God existed. It went deeper than that. He knew what God had promised and he had faith that there was power behind each of God's Words. He knew that since God had spoken, that which was spoken had to occur. Abraham knew the divine integrity behind the Word. Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18, I Sam.15:29, II Sam.7:28 and Nu.23:19 all reveal that integrity to us by saying that it is impossible for God to lie.
According to Heb.6:17 God's very nature is unchanging. For that to be true in the New Testament it must also have been true in the Old as well. We find that it was, for according to Mal. 3:6 our Lord does "not change." If it was true in both Testaments then it should be true now. Again we find this to be the case, for we are assured in Heb.13:8 that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever." From John 1:1 we know that Jesus is the Word and we know that the Word does not lie or change. Just as importantly though, we know that the Word is not without power. Indeed, Mk.13:31 assures us that heaven and earth will pass away, but His Words will never pass away.
When requesting confirmation of oaths from their servants, Abraham and Joseph had them place their hands near Abraham's and Joseph's thighs as they spoke (Gen.24:2 and 47:29). This was a sign of solemnity, of the supreme promise that one man could make to another. It is interesting to note in this regard that when Jesus returns to earth His Name is written on His robe and His thigh (Rev.19:16). That name is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords", and in Phil.2:9 we learn that it is above all names in heaven and earth. Well it should be, for we know from Rev.19: 13 that His name is the 'Word of God.'
"While He (Jesus) was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven" (Lk.24:51, parenthesis added). Rev. chapters 4&5 show us that Jesus, the Word, is on the throne with the Father. He has returned to the Father, and they are one (John 17:11&22). Since the Word has returned and we know from Isa. 55:11 that God's Word does not return without first accomplishing His goal, then I Pe.2:24 must have been accomplished.
The woman with the issue of blood knew she would be healed if she only touched Jesus (Matt.9:21 and Mk.5:28). Likewise, if we will lay hold of the Word we will be healed. That is past tense, it must have been completed. Of course this would apply to all God's promises which are not future in nature. The angel told Mary that every Word has power. We need only take hold of those words, believe them, and then stand on them.
According to I John 3:8 the Word came to earth to destroy the works of the devil. Since the Word has returned unto the Father, He must have accomplished that goal. The seventy two who were sent out returned to Jesus joyously reporting that "Lord, even the demons submit to Your Name" (Lk.10:17) We have that same name. Jesus said in John 17:11 "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name You gave me - so that they may be one as we are one." Jesus came to earth with power and that power was God's name, His Word. John 17:18 tells us that we have been sent into the world just as the Father sent Jesus into the world. We have been sent with the power of God's name - His Word.
His name, His Word, which He promised will be with us forever is still incapable of lying, still unchanging, and still filled with power (Matt.28:20). Among other things it still says:
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Ro.10:13
"The righteous will live by faith" (Gal.3:11).
"Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these" (John14:12).
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people" (Acts 2:17).
"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of Power of Love and of Self-Discipline" (II Tim.1:7).
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Ja.4:7).
"Whoever sows generously will reap generously" (II Cor.9:6).
Ask in Jesus' name, remain in His Words and have them remain in you, believe that you have received, obey His commands and do what pleases Him, ask according to His will and it is yours (John 16:23, 15:7, Mk.11: 24, I John 3:22 & 5:15).
"...(T)hose who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God" (Ro.8:14).
These are only a sampling of His Words; His promises to us. They are not void of power and they will change our lives if, like Abraham before us, we will have faith in their integrity. He believed, and it was credited to Him as righteousness (Gal.3:6). Jesus, the living Word of God is now the guarantee of a new promise to us (Heb.7:22). Let us, like Abraham before us, believe and then act on God's Words, for they can build us up (Acts 20:32)