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The image features text "The Word of Life" above a Bible verse reference, "1 Kings 17:24," with a date "July 7, 2024," set against a beach scene at twilight with a foot imprint.
Bible Passage 1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:24: The Word of Life

  • Tony Raker
Date preached July 7, 2024

Harkening back to Elijah’s raising of the widow’s son, the question arises as to what was the primary trait of the prophets…and what is the primary trait of we, members of a royal priesthood? (2 Peter 2:9)

1 Kings 17:24: “And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

  • Grammatical Usage: “truth” on in Hebrew, “emeth” meaning, “divine instruction.”
  • Literal Interpretation: Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is God’s divine instruction.”
  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word, God continually uses His Word. And this “Word” is:
  1. Preeminent

The word “preeminent” means having paramount importance, dignity, or rank. In the Bible, the preeminence of the Word of God is discussed in several places, including:

    • Psalm 33:4: “For the word of the Lord is right and true
    • Proverbs 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    • 2 Samuel 22:31: “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
    • Acts 19:20: “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
    • Hebrews 4:12: Says that the word of God is “alive and powerful” and “sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword
    • Psalm 12:6: Says, “The words of the LORD are pure words
    • James 1:22: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
  1. Instructive

Psalm 119 is a comprehensive chapter in God’s Word, dealing with:

    • The author of Psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by David, Ezra, Daniel, or Jeremiah. Each of these proposed authors suffered serious difficulties in his life, and the author of Psalm 119 reflects that in descriptions of plots, slanders and taunts against him (vv. 23, 42, 51, 150 ), persecutions (vv 61, 86, 95, 110, 121, 134, 157, 161) and afflictions (vv. 67, 71, 143, 153). The persecution and affliction of the man (and woman) of God is a major theme of Psalm 119.
    • Another prominent theme in Psalm 119 is the profound truth that the Word of God is all-sufficient. Psalm 119 is an expansion of Psalm 19:7–9: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.” There are eight different terms referring to the Word of God throughout the psalm: law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances. In almost every verse, the Word of God is mentioned. Psalm 119 affirms not only the character of the Scriptures, but it affirms that God’s Word reflects the very character of God Himself. Notice these attributes of God ascribed to Scripture in Psalm 119:
      1. Righteousness (vv. 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
      2. Trustworthiness (v. 42)
      3. Truthfulness (vv. 43, 142, 151, 160)
      4. Faithfulness (v. 86)
      5. Unchangeableness (v. 89)
      6. Eternality (vv. 90,152)
      7. Light (v. 105)
      8. Purity (v. 140)
  1. Available
    • We must take it in our hand (Romans 15:4).
    • We must get it in our head. This means that we must read it, learn it and inwardly digest it, and we must do this regularly as we pray the prayer in Psalm 119:18. The Bible must be not only in our head, but we must notice the precise thing that David says:
    • We must hide it in our heart. This means we must let it drop right down into the very center of our being. How are we to do this? Psalm 119:15 tells us. We must meditate in the Word of God – compare Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 3:1-3.

These are three lessons for us in this great psalm. The Word of God is beyond sufficient to make us wise, train us in righteousness and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15–17). The Scriptures are a reflection of God’s nature, and from them we learn that we can trust His character and His plan and purposes for mankind, even when those plans include affliction and persecution as we reflect God’s convictions as we live and model them in every situation.

  • Conclusion: Will I commit to reading and reflecting the Word of God?