“Say the Word”

“When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,  ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.’  And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’  But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, “Go,” and he goes, and to another, “Come,” and he comes, and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’  When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith… Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.

“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick….

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.  And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’  And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?..’

“And the demons begged him, saying, ‘If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.’  And he said to them, ‘Go.'” Matthew 8:5-10a,13, 16,24-27,31-32a; 9:9

Jesus spoke the word over and over, and each time it had power to perform. The Living Word issued words of power and transformation and they always accomplished exactly what He intended. Nothing extraneous, nothing wasted, always good. He relieved suffering and healed from afar, overruled evil spirits, vanquished illness, calmed a storm, and controlled demons. (Genesis 1:3-31; Isaiah 46:11b; 55:10-11; John 1:1)

From the beginning, God’s word was firmly fixed in the heavens. When God spoke the word, His will took place in heaven and on earth. He brought into being what was not, and all that He had in infinite wisdom planned. His word commanded was His word accomplished, and when His creatures did not uphold His prohibition, His word both banished and protected. It always works for good. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6,13-24; Psalm 119:89; Romans 4:17)

This same word divines our hearts unto revelation and conviction. What God has spoken seeps deep and penetrates soul and spirit, having its way into thought and over will. It guides our thinking and illuminates our circumstances. It gives wisdom, condolence, fortitude, and hope. Are we availing ourselves of this rich treasure? (Psalm 119:7-11,105; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

When do we set aside all else- electronics, activity, distractions- to spend time in the Word? How is it transforming us? What are we doing to digest and remember it? What does it mean for our circumstances, struggles, and needs? Do we trust it? How do we live it? Where do we speak it? With whom are we sharing its power and grace?

Lord, may Your word daily be my life, light, and chief delight.