Those who make it through the time of trouble and are ready to meet Jesus will definitely be a people grounded in the Word of God. The Bible will have played a major role in enlightening them concerning God’s will and strengthening them for the final conflict. They will have learned the truth that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
God’s people will not become fearful of what Satan might do to them. As we studied earlier, fear is the opposite of faith and gives Satan a right of passage into our life in the very area we fear. Instead of fear, we must put our complete trust in God’s Word. Remember, “faith is not believing God can. Faith is knowing God will.”
God’s last-day people will have the confidence expressed by John: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15).
In order for us to have this kind of faith, we must become familiar with God’s Word. It must become our meditation day and night (Joshua 1:8). Then our ways will be prosperous and victorious. We will be like a “tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season” (Ps. 1:2, 3).
God’s Word is to play a major role in our victories over temptation and sin. It does more than simply inform us concerning what sin is, “I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet” (Rom. 7:7). It is by faith in the promise of the Bible that we obtain victory.
Paul calls the Word of God the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). The Greek word translated “word” in this verse is rhema, which means spoken word. Therefore, the Word of God spoken in faith will bring the changes in our life that are necessary for us to become like Jesus in character and ministry. Jesus spoke of this when He said, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23).
Notice that Jesus strongly emphasized the importance of “saying” what we believe will happen. When we speak the will of God as revealed in His Word and believe what we say, it will come to pass in our life. Speaking the Word of God in faith is a very powerful weapon.
Ellen White wrote of the power of God’s Word:
“The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.
“The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. ‘By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4)” (Education, p. 126).
There is no shortage of power to transform us into the image of Christ. Faith in God’s promises brings the Holy Spirit’s power into our life. When we learn how to exercise the weapons of our warfare, we will then be able to pull down every stronghold Satan has in our life, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4, 5).
Remember, just before Jesus comes Satan’s deceptions will be very effective in leading multitudes away from God and causing them to be lost when Jesus comes. The deceptions will be so powerful that, if it were possible, the very elect will be deceived (Matt.24:24). Understanding and accepting the Word of God is essential in order to avoid the deceptions of the last days.
Personal Reflection and Discussion:
1. Why is the Word of God, the Bible, so important for the Christian?
2. What did Paul call the Word of God?
3. How did Ellen White describe God’s Word?
4. How does God’s Word help us to avoid Satan’s last-day deceptions?
5. What part does God’s Word play in your life?
Prayer Activity:
• Call your prayer partner and discuss this devotional with him/her.
• Pray with your prayer partner:
1. Pray for God to baptize you with His Holy Spirit.
2. Pray for God to revive you and His church.
3. Pray for God to put in your heart the desire to study His Word more.
4. Pray for the individuals on your prayer list.
Excerpt From: Dennis Smith. “40 Days.”