WORDS

Words are powerful; they can be life-changing.  This is
especially true of the Word of God.  In Genesis chapter one God
speaks His word and all things that did not exist before His
Word was spoken were brought into being.  "Let there be," God
said.  And so it was just as He said.  In the first chapter of Saint
John we learn that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt
among us full of grace and truth.  The very Word of God which
He spoke at the very beginning was born of a virgin, the Man
Christ Jesus.  Jesus Christ is the Word of God which has
recreated us bringing us up out of the mire of our sin, even as
He brought the first Adam up out of the dust of the earth.   He
has recreated us by His forgiveness won on the cross of shame
and suffering.  Christ suffered all, even to become mired in the
mud of death, rising again bringing new eternal life to all who
believe.  No wonder the Psalmist says, "As the deer pants for
streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" (42:1).  The
enemies of the Psalmist taunt him asking, "Where is your God?"
(v 3).  We answer, "He is there on the cross!  And He is there
merging from the open tomb victorious over sin, death and
devil!"  "Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed
within me?" (v 5) the psalmist cries.  "Put your hope in God,"
says he.  "For I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."











One who is down-hearted and sad may pass by and with
one or two words we can cheer his sadness.  "Good
morning my friend.  God be with you."  

In June 2008 my beloved brother-in-law was smitten by a
stroke caused by a blood clot in his brain.  In September of
that same year I was blessed in speaking to my beloved
brother on the telephone.  He struggled mightily to speak
his word and much of it was not understood with my ears. 
But my heart leapt for joy in hearing his voice; the very
sound of it brought peace, joy and contentment.  I didn't
understand each syllable and thought, but his love for me
was as warm and clear as a summers day.  His words
awakened the joy that was sleeping deep inside.

Words are powerful as they stir up that which was lost. 
God's Word even more so as it not only stirs up what is
asleep and captures the lost but alos creates that which is
new.  God spoke and created the universe and all that is in
it.  And God spoke from the cross, "Father forgive them." 
And by blood and grace we are forgiven.  At the close of
our prayers we say with confidence, "Amen."  It means "It
shall be so.  With faith-filled confidence it means, "It is
so."  For God has granted it.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.