“Thy Words”

I haven’t done a study – at least not yet – but I think David has an edge on the number of times “thy words” was written of him speaking of God’s words. For example, early on in his career:

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. (2 Samuel 7:18-21 KJV)

Have we knelt before God and acknowledged that He has had a part  in our lives? That He has brought us to where we are today? It really is easy to do when we know Him and see how He is active in what happens when we seek Him.

Elisha heard God’s words when He called him to face four hundred and fifty priests loyal to both Queen Jezebel and Baal. He called  on God and referenced His words:

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. (1 Kings 18:36 KJV)

Jesus referred to God’s word, too, as He prayed for those who would come to believe on Him:

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17 KJV)

We, as Christians, believe that the scriptures are inspired by God. That the Bible exists for us as David describes God’s word:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105 KJV)

And, we have been told where to keep God’s word:

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. (Psalms 119:9-12 KJV)

We are told it provides sustenance greater than food. Jesus quoted that in scripture:

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

He knew the scripture He quoted:

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV)

Can we respond to temptation with God’s word suited to the situation? Yes – but only when we study God’s word and come to know when “thy word” truly applies to something He commands, and not simply to history He inspired to teach us lessons. That’s how we differentiate between God’s requirements and mankind’s traditions. Can you tell the difference?