2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me; Isaiah 49
We saw yesterday how the Lord’s own mouth was likened to a double-edged sword. He praised the Church of Pergamum, Revelation 2:12-17, but also spoke words of correction to them and again the reference to the sword. Finally in Revelation 19:15, 21, He fought and conquered all His enemies with the sword of His mouth. We should Remember that God spoke all of creation into being by His Word.
Isaiah, the mighty Old Testament prophet also made the connection between the sword and the mouth. Interestingly his next words were about being ‘hidden in the shadow of the Lord’s hand’. The sharp words spoken by God’s prophets weren’t always well received and only God Himself could protect them, often from His own people.
Yet some of the words in Isaiah 49 are encouraging and brought revelation for the God’s future plans.
4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
YET WHAT IS DUE TO ME IS IN THE LORD’S HAND,
AND MY REWARD IS WITH MY GOD.’ Revelation 49
That’s a powerful promise for us, to look to God for His reward, He knows our needs and all we’ve done for Him.
6 He says:
‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I WILL ALSO MAKE YOU A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
THAT MY SALVATION MAY REACH THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.’ Revelation 49
God revealed His plan of salvation for all mankind through these words of prophecy.
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4
Hebrews gives us a final reference to God’s Word being like a double-edged sword, penetrating even to to dividing very close things in our lives. Many times God will speak to us as we read the Word. Derek Prince started to read God’s Word as an unsaved university professor; I wonder who organised that. After some time he realised that he wasn’t just reading the Word, but that it was reading Him (the Living Word).
I read a powerful quote in connection with our words. Like our Heavenly Father WE ALSO CREATE BY OUR OWN WORDS.
‘WORDS ARE CONTAINERS OF POWER’ THAT CREATE ACTION’. THEY BUILD OR THEY TEAR DOWN. (Christianity.com – Danielle Bernock)
Truly ‘life and death’ are in the power of our tongues.
God bless and keep you today.