The Spoken Word (Happy US Flag Day!)

In the 1980’s we were in the midst of The Cold War. It wasn’t a kinetic war in the traditional sense of soldiers facing off in a field of battle. There were no mortar rounds, sweeping aerial bombs, nor a churning of our factories producing ammo or new war vehicles. No it was a different kind of war. This war was based on open threats, posturing of military equipment and personnel, and one of hard lines, like an Iron Curtain. This image alone produces a picture that can’t be ignored. 

One of the greatest demonstrations of this hard line was found in the great divide in Germany. It’s capital had been divided into East and West Berlin with a physical wall constructed around the western portion of the city. Sure there were crossing points with armed guards on both sides, making sure that those who weren’t supposed to or not approved to cross did not. The fence and guards ensured that free will was obstructed and people were held under tight rules of living. Every so often reports would come out that a person from the Eastern side would attempt to make it over the wall to the Western side, but they were usually stopped by a barrage of bullets.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light:’ and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1: 3-4 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let there be a firmament…’” (Genesis 1: 6 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heaven be gathered…’” (Genesis 1: 9 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass…’” (Genesis 1: 11 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament…’” (Genesis 1: 14 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let there be waters bring forth abundantly…’” (Genesis 1: 20 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature…’” (Genesis 1: 24 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image…’” (Genesis 1: 26 KJV)

“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed…’” (Genesis 1: 29 KJV)

In the beginning, God said. The references above are just the start of it in the time of creation. The world as we know and continue to discover was formed from The Spoken Word. Our explorers, scientists, and enthusiasts are still trying to grasp how far and wide this creation is. Each year we hear of new discoveries in the jungles, oceans, space and labs. Things assumed to be extinct or missing turn up after many decades. Even with all of our technologies we still can’t monitor it all, manage it all, or reconstruct it all. We aren’t as big or cool as God!

When “God said” this or that, His Word pierced the darkness and it caused light to shine in a very dark place. Whatever was there or not became exposed as soon as His Light lit the lamp.

And yet, from the center of God He sent His Son to earth as the sacrificial Lamb. Straight from the heart and bosom of the Father, Jesus came to do His perfect Will by declaring who God is and sharing God’s Love with His followers. He spoke, displayed, and reaffirmed this in many ways throughout the gospels, Acts, and the rest of the new testament.  

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1: 18 KJV)

“And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17: 26 KJV)

For at the right time God speaks. He calls things as though they were even when it doesn’t appear to be that way. A word spoken in alignment with His Spirit of Truth cracks the darkness. Because “light” is good. On June 12, 1987, U. S. President Ronald Reagan gave a speech and in that speech came one of his most famous quotes, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Just 2.5 years later the Berlin Wall that had surrounded the western portion of the city, began to be brought down. The easterners and westerners ran to the gates and from that moment forward they were opened. On a single November night, a message spoken just a couple years prior came to pass. And the ‘walls of Jericho’ came tumbling down… 

The Tree

We are in a unique moment in time. One we can’t repeat. It is either ours to take or to lay down. We enter a new renaissance or we fall into darkness. I walked a civil war trail at the Manassas battlefield on my birthday. I was reminded by the Lord of a time not so long ago when I was testing mountains or in this case, a tree. Maybe it is close to the same 2.5 years that President Reagan had… I remember saying to the Lord on a casual walk, “then let this tree be removed.” 

Don’t let the gates be closed again. Don’t let the walls be rebuilt. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Be strong. Be courageous for the Lord is with you.

“Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1: 9 KJV).”

Godspeed, The Journeyman

PS. The night before my birthday, we had some good thunderstorms roll through the area and this is what happened to that tree. The Berlin Wall opened for the last time on a November night in 1989 and it took several more months to come all of the way down. The Spoken Word does not return void with the Lord.