The Strength Of God’s Word

The Strength Of God’s Word

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6:68–69

Yes, Peter, you speak the truth! This is written as a comfort and example to us. Though one of the Twelve would fall, which in itself is an important lesson to us all, God upheld Peter. Everything rests on God’s grace, power, and Word to such a degree that we can’t even trust the apostles. Though one of them claimed he was so strong that he would never fall, he couldn’t make it unless God blessed him and said, “I have chosen you.” The reason the apostles were able to prevail was because Christ said, “I have chosen you.” Though Judas would fall and remain fallen, Peter, in contrast, was held so tightly by God’s Word that he wouldn’t stay down. When he stumbled and fell, he stood up again.

You must realize that God allows people to stumble so that they will despair of trusting in themselves. God is the one who stamps out inborn arrogance. Moses, Aaron, David, and others fell, yet they found their way again. Scripture says that though people fall, God’s Word will remain firm and never fall. Anyone who falls will be able to stand up again on the strength of God’s Word.

Judas, the one who betrayed the Lord, was the first to defect. He was the one who brought harm to God’s kingdom, even though he ranked above the other apostles as overseer of the finances. If I, or someone greater, should fall—may God protect me from that—it would certainly be scandalous. But we should stand firm and rest on the foundation of the Word. Jesus said, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70). This example shows that we can’t rely on people, but we must learn to depend on God’s Word.