THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 19 of 25 "Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place." (Verse 6) – Tomorrow:
Some might wonder why such an expression is necessary. After all, this is the Word of God! It is God speaking through Jesus, through an angel, and now through the Holy Spirit. Is not that enough? Why add, "These words are faithful and true?" There is a reason!
An academic perspective is extremely limited. There are several things it does NOT take into account. First, we are in the flesh, which is everywhere declared to be a decided restriction and disadvantage. Our bodies are "earthen vessels," not vessels of gold and silver (2 Cor 4:7). They are referred to as "vile bodies" – or, for those requiring a more indirect statement, "our lowly body" (NASB), or "body of our humble state" (NIV). They are associated with corruption, dishonor, and weakness (1 Cor 15:43). The experience of believers loudly shouts "AMEN!" to these affirmations.
Second, we are in a cursed world which makes it a distraction to the one who is "joined to the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17). Jesus confirmed what the prophets foretold, "Heaven and earth shall pass away" (Matt 24:35; Isa 34:4; 51:6). The optimum blessing cannot be experienced while we remain in a realm that has been cursed.
Third, we are opposed by a shrewd enemy who is aggressive against us. The devil is described as "your adversary the devil," who, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He has "devices," and can gain the advantage against us (2 Cor 2:11).
Fourth, we are living by faith and not by sight. The realities we have embraced are not evident, and vanish from our understanding like smoke, unless they are believed. When faith wanes, so does our grasp upon the promises, and our vision of the promised land.
In view of these circumstances, placing confidence in scholastic and formalistic approaches is foolish and absurd. Expertise in language gives you no advantage in the good fight of faith. Historical proficiency cannot clear up eternal matters. An extremely logical mind can be as great a handicap as it can be an advantage. Throughout the ages, the Spirit thunders, "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom" (Jer 9:23, NIV). This is not empty oratory, but a solemn reality!
When it comes to the apprehension of Himself and His salvation, God has discarded the whole of worldly wisdom. As it is written, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1 Cor 1:20). If you want to know the things of God, a worldly-wise man will do you no good. If you desire for the things of God to find residence in your soul, you do not call for a "scholar," or scribe. The philosopher is impotent when it comes to "the things of the Spirit of God." That is simply the way it is. The reluctance of many to acknowledge this truth has no bearing whatsoever upon it.
It is because of these circumstances that Divine iteration is employed. "These words are faithful and true." They are true because of the One who said them. They are not true because they are logical, but are spiritually logical because they are true. The ONLY reason to believe them is because the Lord has declared them – but that is reason enough for faith.
The biggest part of edification is AFFIRMATION, not explanation. The more men attempt to explain the truth of God, the more the power of the truth is neutralized. This is why it is written, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power" (1 Corinthians 4:20, NIV). At some point the truthfulness of the promise must be AFFIRMED. Again, its absolute faithfulness is to be declared. You can trust what the Lord has said, building your entire life upon it. It will hold you up during the battle, in the valley, and upon the mountain. With God, there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). If you cannot prove the truth of His promises, they are still "faithful and true." If they do not conform to historical patterns of thought, they remain "faithful and true." If someone finds some Dead Sea scrolls that omit them, they are still "faithful and true."
At once, the sophist will suspect us of speaking reproachfully of his cherished wisdom. Let such men acknowledge their thoughts are NOT the thoughts of God, neither are their ways His. And what is a person to do when such a circumstance is encountered? The answer is clear, " Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man HIS THOUGHTS" (Isa 55:7). See, all of that is involved in the words, "These words are faithful and true!" If you will embrace them by faith, you will find it to be so.
PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus name for affirming Your mind. I have found it refreshing to my soul to realize that "the mouth of the Lord has spoken."