“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Credibility is an essential element in one being worthy to be trusted. What does it mean to be credible, but that one has the power and authority, and the will, to honor what one says. The issue of intent and purpose also plays a major role in the matter of credibility, as it is directly tied with the confidence that it inspires. This confidence, which we will say is acceptable to God, looks not only at the power and authority, but at the intent of the person speaking. The person who grasps something of the love of God, will certainly more easily entrust himself to God, as he sees something of God’s intent and purpose, speaking that which is good.
In looking at God, as revealed in the Scriptures, we discover that His credibility is revealed in His everlasting, unchanging character. Coupled with that truth is the fact that all that He says comes from a heart that is perfectly good and holy. His words are also the expression of His righteousness, His perspective of that which is right, just, and merciful. That which makes God’s credibility so totally different from that of sinful man is the absolute power and authority that He possesses to accomplish all that He declares. God’s spoken word is the expression, the very manifestation or revelation, of Who He is and what He desires and wills. This is why the Lord says through the writings of Isaiah, “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void.” From the beginning of Scripture to the very end, we find God speaking. We find that the Creator, by virtue of His authority and power, makes heaven and earth, and man to walk on this earth. We find also that, when Jesus died on the Cross, the same power and authority were expressed in His last words: “It is finished.” In those very simple words is the revelation of God’s declaration to man, that Christ has dealt with all sin, and the sinner, in an absolute, and final manner. Not only has Christ paid the singular, terrible price so that sin can be totally forgiven and forgotten by God, but also, that the lost soul can be born again by the very power of the Spirit of God. Often in the Old Testament, we read the phrase: “Thus saith the Lord.” Jesus, in the New Testament, would use the phrase: “Verily, verily, I say unto you.” Both phrases call all men to hear His word, His voice.
There came a day in the life and ministry of Christ, that a good many of his disciples ceased to follow Him. Jesus asked those closest to Him if they too would leave. Peter responded to the Lord’s question by asking another: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (Jn.6:68) Why did Peter respond in this manner? It is because he had seen the power and authority of God in the Lord Jesus, as He ministered to the multitudes. But he also saw the intent of Christ, to save the lost.
The foundation for faith is found in the revealed word of God. In bringing man to true faith, God draws him towards Himself. He awakens the conscience, and desire, for the things of God. In essence, Jesus passes by, creating in the life a sense and conviction of sin, and need. That God-given conviction has for its purpose to awaken the soul to hear God speaking through His word. When faith rises up to believe the God of the word, the power and authority of God work wonderfully in the heart. The intent and will of God is to save all men. His way is His word, heard, received, and believed. His power and authority then accomplish His purposes.
Dear Father, Give us grace to truly hear Thy word, saving the soul, and sanctifying entirely the believer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.