Since we have established the authority of Scripture by its own testimony, we must ask, “Is God’s Word powerful and, in what way is it powerful? How can the Bible directly affect our lives when we read and apply its teaching to ourselves?”

Unbelieving scientists have propagated the pernicious and pervasive belief that the universe came into being through a “big bang” and that its creatures began as slime in the sea. However, the Bible gives us the truth that God created the heavens and the earth through the power of His spoken word.

Psalms 33:6 NLT
[6] “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.”

To the honest observer, which makes more sense, the universe happened by chance or…the universe came into being by design?

How did both Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible…

Genesis 1:1 NLT
[1] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

… and David, who write Psalm 33, know this?

Through the Holy Spirit by revelation. There is no other way that they could have written what they wrote with such authority and conviction.

The Word of God also says it is able to scrutinise us, to expose the innermost depths of our being. How does it do this?

First, by invitation. David was aware that God knew him intimately from his conception in the womb…

Psalms 139:13 NIV
[13] “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

… to his thoughts and intentions before he spoke or acted.

Psalms 139:3-4 NIV
[3] “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

Since he could not escape His scrutiny, David invited God into his heart to search and expose whatever offended Him.

Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
[23]”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

How does God scrutinise us? The Holy Spirit, as the author of the Bible, is also in intimate partnership with the Scriptures to work through the Word in people’s hearts as they read and internalise what is written.

God promised His people, through the prophet Jeremiah, that there would be a radical change in the coming New Covenant from the Old, in its terms and application. The Holy Spirit would be in His people quickening their spirits, by the application of His Word, to respond to the truths He reveals. By His power, He would change their thinking and behaviour from rebels to sons.

Jeremiah 31:33 NLT
[33] “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people… “

It’s this new covenant which God made with Jesus and included us who believe in Him, the terms of which are recorded in the New Testament, that is able to save us from sin and transform our lives. The key is to read and apply…

Jesus made this startling claim…

John 6:63 NLT
[63] “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

The Bible doesn’t just tell us about what God has done and about His power to save and change us, it has the power to DO what it tells us. The Word of God is like a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting deep and exposing our inner thoughts, attitudes, and motives.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
[12] “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The Word of God also has the power to heal our brokenness and lead us in God’s way of truth and life.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
[16]”All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Again, it was David who recorded his personal experience in his magnificent psalm about the Word of God…

Psalms 119:105 NLT
[105]”Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

It’s through the light of God’s Word that we can make our way safely through the maze of temptation and evil in the world. No other book has the power to provide accurate directions from earth to heaven. In fact, it’s by the power of the Word that we are raised from spiritual death to spiritual life, which Jesus said is essential if we are to enter God’s kingdom and live under His rule.

John 3:3, 5 NLT
[3] “Jesus replied (to Nicodemus), “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”…
[5] Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”

Peter explains how this new birth happens.

1 Peter 1:23 NLT
[23]”For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.”

Faith in the truth of God’s Word is the means by which we both enter and live in God’s kingdom. This partnership between us and the Holy Spirit means that the Spirit activates the Word in us to do what it says it will do. To use an inadequate illustration, faith is like the cord which connects an appliance to the source of power. We plug into the Word by faith through which the power of the Holy Spirit flows.

In this brief examination of the power of God’s Word, we can only conclude that, without the Bible, we will never know how or why we are here, where we are going and how we get there. We will never understand the grace and mercy of the God who sent His Son to save us and how we can be saved. We will never experience the peace that God gives when we believe the Word, receive the salvation in Jesus the Word reveals, and enter into the new life that transforms our hearts and takes us to the Father.

Psalms 19:7-11 NLT
[7] “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. [8] The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. [9] Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. [10] They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. [11] They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.”

This, the power of the God’s Word!

To be continued…