A number of years ago there was a man I had to come in frequent contact with who was a chronic liar. He would lie about anything and everything, whether significant or insignificant. It didn’t matter what the topic, so much of what he would say were lies. That made dealing with the person difficult, as you could never tell whether to trust his word, and I usually ended up not believing anything that he said. He was certainly not a man of integrity, and his word came to mean nothing to most people who knew him. Our psalm for this week, from the Lectionary for this past Sunday, speaks of the words that the Lord speaks. Let’s look to see if they are one’s we can rely on.
If a person gets a reputation for being a liar, then his word will soon be held in very little esteem. No one can trust anything he says. Yahweh’s words, though, are ones we can trust and rely on (vs. 4). No one can point to any word that He has spoken, and say that it is untrue. Every man has been known to, at least at some point, tell a lie. However God is not a man, and He does not lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2).
Liars quickly lose all credibility. The same holds true for people who make promises, but who rarely follow through with keeping them. Very soon we learn that their word doesn’t mean a thing, and they cannot be counted on. The foundation of any relationship is trust. If there is no trust then the relationship is on shaky ground. However, our psalmist knew he could trust God’s Word. All of God’s words are right and true. He can be completely trusted. He does not lie. He does not forget. God does not change His word, or leave His promises unfulfilled. If we doubt God’s Word we are doubting God’s character, and we are agreeing with Satan, the father of lies. We can, at every time, trust the Bible.
God’s Word is also very powerful. Yahweh spoke and created a universe out of nothing (vs. 6, 9). A simple word may seem to be little and meaningless. Yet when God speaks a word, that thing of which He speaks leaps to life. He sustains all things by His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:3). His Word has resurrection power. Though our words cannot create anything out of nothing, like God’s Word can, they do have a type of power. When we speak positive, kind, and loving words to others, particularly to children, we can uplift them, build them up, and give them what they need to go on with hope in life. But if we speak harsh, hurtful, negative words to others, we can easily break their spirits and tear them down, sometimes even destroying them. We should be very careful with what we say, and how we say it.
God’s word is completely trustworthy. When He says something, it is something completely reliable and sure (vs. 11). His intentions never change (James 1:17). Sometimes we say something, and then go back on our word, or are inconsistent with what we say or promise, and then do. When God speaks a word, it is done, it can be depended on to happen. There is no inconsistency with Him. Man’s plans may not come to pass, but God’s are sovereign and sure. What He has planned for this world will stand forever, and we can find safety when we have a close walk with Him.
While we can see that God’s Word is trustworthy and reliable, what can we learn about our own word? Though, as mentioned above, our words do not have the same power as God’s Word does, how trustworthy and reliable is what we say? Do lies fall unchecked from our lips? Are our promises something that others can rely on? As His children, our word should be one that is truthful, honest, reliable, and uplifting to others.
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