IT ALL STARTED WITH WORDS

I don’t know about you, but I love word games.  I enjoy playing Scrabble and Wordle.  There is an apt on my phone called Whirly Word.   There are only six letters, but the challenge is making these six letters into words.  Crossword puzzles have been around for years. 

But let’s go back to the beginning.  Gen 1:3 “And God said……….”  He started it all with words! 

Have you ever thought of a world without words?  Words are essential building blocks for all communication.  They can be used for good and or evil (think Hitler). Words are necessary to express our thoughts and feelings.  They communicate our wishes and desires.  What would we do without books in our lives? We can live vicariously through the characters….. their fears and challenges.    

In the last chapter of Deuteronomy, we read compelling words of Moses to the people as he was leading them to their new land.  The land of promise.  “Be  strong, be bold, don’t be afraid or frightened (of enemies) . For Adonai, your God is going with you.  He will never fail you or abandon you.” (Deut31:6-8)

These are powerful words and still speak to us today.  We are fearful. We fear what the future holds for us.  At times we are blindsided with fear.  We are indecisive in making decisions.  We are fearful of new challenges, new situations. What will the Dr tell me at my appointment tomorrow?

Moses said that God would be with His people and would protect them from “giants” in the land.  Perhaps our giants aren’t literal giants, but rather all the things that are out of our human control.

Winds of change come to each of us.  In 1849 the French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karl wrote, ”plus ca change, plus  c’est la meme chose,” which translated roughly means, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” The one thing in life we can expect is “change”.  Nothing ever remains the same. 

Words can comfort us.  Jesus/Jeshua told His followers “So I say to you do not worry about your life.”  (Matthew 6:25) These words give comfort to us also.  That’s where trust comes in.  We are not fearful.  We know the one who is in control but allows us freedom to choose.

You and I are to be encouragers.  We are to put actions into our words. As James said……. “ Faith without works is dead.”  (James 2:17) The Hebrew word is mitzvah. It’s a simple word that means “good deed.”  It’s a concept defined by acts of kindness.  Another word is Tikkun Olam.  Doing good deeds will help repair the world.   It’s what we do for others that counts. 

God put us here to be Doers of the Word.  Let not your ears be dull of hearing!!  Wise words express faith, truth, and kindness.   Put action into those words!

          God’s word is always the same yesterday, today and on into the future.