Back again to this blessed scripture, which I pray for grace to unpack. It is that there is an activeness to the word of God. Not only is it perfect, flawless, pure- it is. Not some spoken or written word extinct from reality and effectiveness, or a mere historical document, but alive- extant. Sound to reason. Useful for guidance. That sense in which lessons from the word in the past can be useful for today. Its well over only the letter, used as just a quote, to the uniqueness and summation of divine principles for living. Understanding whether God said it, and to whom, in essence if it applies to you specifically is crucial. Beyond specific guidance to place and time, it could be there is a further direction and turnover in seasons, but the overall purpose is to fulfill righteousness and bring good in the promised time and situation. What is God saying now? That can not be missen from the nature of the word which is present and kicking. What He said then could be what He is saying now. Yet still, He could have said move from one place to another place. So what is true is God is always true, and He is now and always speaking His truth. Yet still a different word is still His grace speaking now. His ultimate word to guide is not changing as it appears, but working out His power to guide in all circumstances as it comes. Therefore consider that God’s word “is” relevant for us alive in a twenty first century techy-AI-complex-social world. Even as our clothes and meals are changing. It successfully intersects and presents yet still a high level of good ethics and spiritual perspective- God would encourage love for all and wisdom to run from evil attack, a honour towards parents yet a pillar of strength and discipline for the young, of compassion for the lonely and heart to distribute and share, a joy in peace and grieving with the broken, a life of boldness and courage for the battles of the now and hope and confidence for a future in eternity, prophecies to men and due regard for strangers and Angels, family values and deep-rooted friendship, stories of life lived in grace and relationships and also love and faithfulness, of providence and productivity, of inheritance by faith and the law as a trainer for what is good in grace, for Christ’s sacrifice and the diligence of prophets. So much more in how all this theological stories and angles, equip and encourage. The ancient landmarks has its purpose. Every word is key, and there is the care to ask and pray how does this now minister to me. It spoke to that character, but couldn’t it be one for all?- it could. Couldn’t it be a promise to one and their children? definitely could be. Read through ponder in faith the blessedness of the scriptures and its enduring-ness, I perceive it would be one of utmost significance for today.
There are two stories to bear in mind for further study- of the old and young prophet, and Adam and Eve respectively (in 1 Kings 13:11-25 and Genesis 3) [you may also contrast the Nineveh and Hezekiah story in Jonah 3 and 2 Kings 20].
Also consider these scriptures:
“He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:23-25
“The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Proverbs 12:19
“Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Psalm 119:89
“He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.
When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!” 1 Chronicles 16: 14-36
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33
Thanks for receiving the word, may God’s word bring healing, sustenance, joy, comfort and peace to all who trust his word.
God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye
