The Mighty Word

OT: 2 Kings 24
NT: Matthew 2

2 Kings 24:1-4 — During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he changed his mind and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him. He sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets. Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive.
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Truly Isaiah was right when the prophet wrote, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Towards the end of the nation of Judah, the contrast between the word of man and the word of God became very evident. Jehoiakim was the son of good king Josiah but he reneged on a promise to be Nebechadnezzar's vassal (subject) and was punished accordingly. His word was no good. By contrast, the word of the Lord was sure and true, unwavering in the midst of trial. God had said the nation of Judah would pay for the wickedness of Manasseh, Josiah's grandfather, and God's word stood firm.

When we come to the promises of God in the Bible, it is easy to just laugh and call them wishful thinking. After all, who can believe that hearts of stone can become hearts that melt (Jer. 31)? And who can believe that God cares for lowly sparrows and flowers the same as He cares for you and me? (Matt. 6). Yet He does. Because His word never fails. Do you believe in the promises of God? Can you trust in His word? The words of man may be weak and shaky but the word of God stands forever.

Be God's.