Flawless Words

“And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”  Psalm 12:6

Have you ever said something and immediately wished for a retraction, a re-do, a delete button that would wipe your words out of the mind of anyone who just heard what came out of your mouth and heart?  I certainly have! I seem to be afflicted with perpetual “foot in mouth disease,” and texting just adds a new dimension.  Sort of like all the new strains of COVID.

In the not so distant past, my slip of the tongue was actually a slip of the thumb.  I shared a thought with a friend, and instead of using a new text, I went to my text conversations and unwittingly selected a group text, so instead of sharing my thought with the one friend, I shared it with many friends. This need not have started a humiliating yet humbling chain of events, except my thought concerned a mutual friend on the thread. Although my words were not overtly unkind, they were not compassionate, nor necessary. In my embarrassment I tried to mitigate the damage, so I lied.  Did I mention that it wasn’t even a plausible lie? It was obvious that I was scrambling with everything in me, compounding the damage, and my very healthy sin nature was on display in the spotlight. This resulted in humbling, apologies, repentance, and a better understanding of my use of technology.

I am so thankful that God’s words are flawless.  I have heard it explained that for God’s words to be completely flawless means that He uses the right words at the right time, in the right way for the right reasons. In no way is He dishonest or unkind in what He says.  It means that we can take what He says to heart, believe it, and trust it.

When God tells me that I am a sinner, Romans 5:19a “For as by one man’s disobedience  many (all of humanity) were made sinners”, I know that He is telling me truth, even though I think I am a “good person.” The same verse in Romans goes on to give good news, though, and it is also truth.  “…so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” God provided a Savior in the person of Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world (all of humanity) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God also lets me know the price of salvation, and there is no negotiating this price.  It was costly, but Jesus paid the price with his blood.  For me, for you, for all of humanity, the price is free.  It is a gift (Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”), undeserved, but freely given. When God tells me that it is a gift, that if I “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,” then salvation is mine, by faith, through grace, and not because of anything that I have done (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There is a popular saying, “if someone shows you who they are, believe them.” If it holds true in popular culture, it certainly holds true to believing God.  I can believe God when He tells me and shows me who He is when He describes himself through names that He reveals. In Genesis 1, He gives his name as ELOHIM, the Mighty Creator. Look around at all the wonders of this world – the flowers, mountains, creatures. How creative to come up with an octopus, a giraffe, and the Venus fly trap! Not to mention the sense of humor to design a platypus!  He told Hagar the He is El Roi, the God who sees me. He saw her in the wilderness, and He sees me where I am, and meets me there with love and encouragement. He calls himself God Almighty, El Shaddai, when He confirmed His covenant with Abram in Genesis 17. He is the God who has no beginning and no end, El Olam, the Eternal God, (Genesis 21: 32-33) so that means that His love also endures forever.  He provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in genesis 22:13-14, and proved Himself to be Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. His provision for me and my family over the years is magnificent. Not only resources, but the provision of friends when we moved, help when we needed it, and instruction when we were uncertain. He also tells me that He is LORD when He tells Moses “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

In my own life I have found Him to be faithful, compassionate, good, and loving.  (Deuteronomy 32:4; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:9) He is forgiving and kind, (1 John 1:9; Colossians 3:13; Isaiah 54:8, 10) and his mercies are new every day. I will trust Him to be who He says He is, because His words are flawless and true. No slips of the tongue, nor thumb. His Word is at the right time, spoken the right way, for the right reason.

How have you found God’s words to be flawless?