The Word Manifest

It is a wonder God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.  What a time to be alive!  We are blessed beyond measure with the reality of the truth proclaimed in Hebrews 1:1-3:  "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..."  Many people who feared and sought God did not have the benefit of being introduced to Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created all things, purged our sins and sat down in heavenly glory.  He is our High Priest and KING OF KINGS, the One who calls those who follow Him in obedience "My friends."  This isn't a snoozing, blocking, unfriending kind of friend, but One who sticks closer than a brother for eternity.

As I was reading Lead Like Christ by A.W. Tozer, I was reminded of words found in the beginning of another epistle, Titus 1:1-4:  "Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, ³ but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; ⁴ to Titus, a true son in our common faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, and in our time God has "manifested His word through preaching."  This is really a startling announcement.  God who spoke through prophets, has angelic messengers and His own Son Jesus, has chosen to manifest His word through preaching by man.

There is something supernatural and amazing when God's word is proclaimed with faith by those filled with the Holy Spirit, whether they stand at a pulpit or sit in the lunchroom with co-workers.  The proclamation of the Gospel does not require amplification to be powerful or the dimmed lights of a sanctuary with music in the background to be meaningful:  the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  When believers gather with the expectation and desire to hear from God, through His word God is faithful to speak.  Knowing God has chosen to manifest His word through preaching ought to increase our personal priority to hear preaching and heed the message.  God is faithful to keep His word, and we ought to be faithful to hear and declare it with our lives.  David wrote in Psalm 138:2, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."  That is the word we have the privilege of proclaiming.