Need Confirmation and Direction From God?
This was the testimony of Jesus, as well. He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Even if all the elements of heaven or earth pass away, His words will hold firm; they cannot be destroyed. They stand through all the tests of time and eternity. No cataclysmic event or ignorant interpretation can obliterate God’s words. Forever, they remain as the standard of life.
Such was Jesus’ confidence in the effectiveness and strength of the written Word that He selected certain Scriptures to cut down the lying temptations of Satan. During His 40-day wilderness sojourn, He confronted the devil’s temptations with direct quotes from Scripture. Each time, He said, “It is written … .” and proceeded to quote a line from the book of Deuteronomy (see Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).
Even Satan did not deny the absolute authority of Scripture. This shows us that the darkest evil is under subjection to the Word of God, which should be good news to those who adhere to the Scriptures.
“That the Scripture May Be Fulfilled”
Even when we have not yet seen a particular fulfillment with our own eyes, we can trust that the words foretelling it are true.
Jesus knew all the Scriptures that pointed to Him as the Messiah, and after His resurrection, He cited them on the road to Emmaus to two of His downcast disciples, who hadn’t yet recognized who He was. “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).
The prophets whose words are recorded in the Old Testament specifically and accurately predicted each of the following incidents in the earthly life of Jesus the Messiah: His birth to a virgin mother at Bethlehem, His flight into Egypt, His home in Nazareth, His anointing by the Holy Spirit, His ministry in Galilee, His healing of the sick, the rejection by the Jews of His teaching and miracles, His use of parables, His being betrayed by a friend, His being forsaken by His disciples, His being hated without a cause, His being condemned along with criminals, His garments’ being parceled out by lot to others, His being offered vinegar to quench His thirst on the cross, His body’s being pierced without His bones being broken, His burial in a rich man’s tomb and His resurrection from the dead on the third day. Again and again, the Word proves true.
You Can Trust the God of the Word
The earthly life of Jesus was guided in every aspect by the authority and prophetic influence of God’s Word. The Word of God is cohesive, complete and all-sufficient. From Genesis to Revelation, it unfolds the nature and consequences of sin, along with the way of deliverance from sin and its consequences—through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we heed these words and obey them, we will find and receive true, abundant and eternal life.
Let the consistency and reliability of the Scriptures encourage you as you think about knowing God better, because He obviously makes Himself known in countless ways, and the Bible is one of His primary means. He is not hiding or keeping Himself remote and secret.
Instead of neglecting the written Word out of apathy or ignorance of its value, we need to devour it if we want to know its Author. Let the Word of God be your companion and friend. Believe me, there will always be something new to discover in it—for the rest of your life!
Great news, indeed! You have a lifetime to spend getting to know God by getting to know His Word.
James W. Goll is the founder of Encounters Network and Prayer Storm. He has written over 50 books and study guides and taken the power, presence and love of God to over 50 nations. Visit jamesgoll.com for more information.
