By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Psalm12:6 (NKJV)
“The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.’
It is impossible to discern the “Will” of God outside of the “Word” of God!
The book of Hebrews makes a declarative statement about the word of God; “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (4:12).
When Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy, he said of the word of God, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Prophet Isaiah said, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (40:8).
From both the Old and New Testaments, we determine that both the temporal and the eternal life are in the word of God. Let us remember what the Apostle John said about the word, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”(1:1). He went on to say, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (v. 14).
It seems to me that everyone should be searching for the will of God for their own lives so that they can also be thoroughly equipped for every good work. But I must ask, is it possible to discern the “will” of God without the “word” of God? The scriptures cited indicate that it cannot be done. God’s will for us is wrapped up in the plan He has for each of us.
Jeremiah wrote, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11). These words were written to the captives who had now become elders, having survived in Babylon after being taken prisoners by king Nebuchadnezzar. They undoubtedly thought the Lord had forgotten all about them. But God’s word assured them, as it assures us, that God never forgets us.
No matter how long it takes, how low we sink, or what situation we find ourselves, we can depend on the word of God to be, like the psalmist wrote, pure, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. I encourage you to get to know the word of God, so that you can know the will of God.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of both LaGree Baptist Church and the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and is the creator and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
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