5
Theme: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Comment: This popular text highlights the standards which people in the world use to measure human attainment and which determines their status in society. These include secular knowledge as acquired in educational institutions, physical force or strength or ability to control and influence other people and their actions; and wealth in terms of cash and property. However, the wisdom of the world does not teach one about God and His purposes of creation. Riches come and go and even if they remain, one would die and leave them one day. It is sound knowledge and understanding of the word of God that makes one to be spiritually minded and therefore to look at things from a spiritual perspective. Jesus Christ stated, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (John 6:27) That “meat” is the word of God that teaches us that God Almighty is the Creator and Possessor of the universe; that he had purposed to create a new and a new heaven and earth where there would be no more wickedness; that sin would not continue indefinitely as He had set a time in which He would judge the world “by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” – Acts 17:31.
Comment: God Almighty used the prophet Jeremiah to warn the nation of Israel of His impending judgment upon them because of their continuous rebellions. (Jeremiah 15:1-9) Unlike his people, Jeremiah was firm in his commitment to God and His word. He suffered persecution and rejection as a result of this. Despite this experience, he said that the word of God was his joy and delight so much so that he “ate” them: that is, he took it in as food for his soul and received refreshment and nourishment from it. He read, heard, understood and put the word of God in his memory and put them to daily use. The word of God is a source of hope, joy, and consolation, especially in times of trials. In these circumstances, it is understandable why the word of God is more beneficial or nourishing than physical food. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, relied on the strength of the word of God during his temptation in the wilderness. He told the tempter: “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Compare Deuteronomy 8:2,3.
In this age of distress, where the children of God are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, they can always find true happiness from the word of God. In his persecution, the prophet Job said that he esteemed the word of God more than his necessary food. – Job 23:10-12.