Week 30: The Very Word of God

This week the reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday (epistles): I Thessalonians 1-3
* Monday (the Law): Leviticus 19-21
* Tuesday (history): II Kings 16-20
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 87-89
* Thursday (poetry): Proverbs 13
* Friday (prophecy): Ezekiel 37-42
* Saturday (gospels): Luke 23-24

Our SOAP scripture this week is from the letter of Paul, Silas & Timothy to the church in Thessalonica:

Scripture
"You accepted what we said as the very word of God -- which, of course, it was. And this word continues to work in you who believe." [I Thessalonians 1:13b]

Observation
The Thessalonians listened to Paul, Silas and Timothy as if they listened to God. They accepted their words as if they came from God himself. Paul affirms that indeed these words are from God himself (note the use of the words 'of course'). This is not arrogance on Paul's side, but rather confidence, see also verse 4: "For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News."

Application
This is a great example for us. We have to ask ourselves: "do we accept the things that our leaders/pastors say as if they speak words that are the very word of God?" Oftentimes we are skeptical and criticize the words we hear. If we don't like what we hear, we reject the words spoken, and sometimes even the one who speaks. This should not be so. Our pastor, for example, also is a "messenger approved by God", and the words he speaks are words of God himself.

The Thessalonians believed, and they accepted the words spoken to them by ordinary man as words from God himself. As a result, the word continued to work in them. We, who believe, should use these believers from the 1st century as an example for our own life. When we do, God's word will continue to work in us as well. Through the interpretation of the Holy Spirit, we can apply every message to our own life, and use it to grow closer into the image of God's Son.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times we criticized those who spoke your very words. Help us to discern your word in the words spoken by our leaders, and help us to follow in your footsteps. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great week.

Dick