“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)

The foundation of the Christian message is the Word of God. The Word of God comes from God Himself. His Word is first and foremost revealed to us through the Word which was with and is God in the beginning. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:1-4) Our hope comes because this Word became one of us. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14a) His name is Jesus.

The Word of God also comes to us, because He speaks to us. Throughout Scripture God speaks to those who were ready to listen. We see this with Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Judges, the Prophets, and to those who would be usable by God: from a forsaken brother named Joseph, to a shepherd boy named David, and a captive named Daniel. In the New Testament the Disciples heard the Living Word of God speak and teach them. Even after the resurrection, Jesus would speak to Paul.

The Written Word of God comes to us because the Holy Spirit moved in the lives of the authors of both the Old and New Testaments. “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter1:20-21) The Written Word of God is given to us with the purpose of helping us mature in our faith in Jesus Christ. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Toward the end of the book of Proverbs, the author gives us two reminders about the Word of God. First, it is flawless. This is because God is flawless, and it is His Word. His Word is established in God’s character, His love for us. Second, His Word is our place of refuge in Him where we find his protection. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

Jesus promised us help in learning to listen to His voice. He and the Father have sent to us the Holy Spirit, the One who guided the authors of the books found in Scripture. We receive Him when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, who brings to us our salvation. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. . .. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16-17, 26)

The foundation of the Christian faith, God’s Word, is the foundation on which we build our lives. Jesus taught us, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25) Here is our refuge.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block