Nothing of a positive spiritual nature is effected apart from the Word of God.  Neither psychology, nor sociology, nor philosophy, nor any other “ology” or “ism” can or will do what God’s Word alone can do:  deliver from sin, impart wisdom, imbue with strength to do right, and a host of other blessed works.  Again, nothing of this nature can be accomplished apart from the Word.  Furthermore, the Word is sufficient to do anything and everything that must be done as today’s scripture illustrates.  The Lord Himself asks a rhetorical question:  “Is not my word . . . like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29).

            What, we might be tempted to wonder, can a few words on paper do against a really entrenched problem?  Is it really possible that nothing can prevent the Word of God from accomplishing its purpose and being fulfilled?  Again, the Lord Himself speaks:  “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).  Yes, it can accomplish anything, and, yes, it will accomplish everything that God intends it to accomplish.  It does not lie with our powers of persuasion or force of logic to change hearts, but the Word of God can.

            It is “like a hammer,” and not a little hammer for tapping in tacks or six-penny finishing nails, but a great pile-driving sledge hammer that smashes rocks.  In the context of our verse, God is dealing with false prophets who present their own foolish dreams as the Word of God.  He is declaring that false religion, no matter how impressive, ultimately will bow to the truth of His Word.  He is affirming that every promise will be fulfilled and that every judgment will be executed.  As impregnable as the rock fortresses of unbelief, false religion, rampant sin, and weak flesh may appear to be, the hammer of the Word can break them in pieces.

            No weapon that is formed against the Word will prosper.  We must believe the Word, for it always accomplishes God’s purposes—without fail and without exception.  Ask Pharaoh as the waters of the Red Sea engulfed him and drowned his entire army if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.  Ask Jezebel as she was eaten by dogs if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.  Ask Nebuchadnezzar as he scrabbled on his hands and knees eating grass like an ox, if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.  Ask Belshazzar as Babylon was torn from his grasp by Darius the Mede if the Word of God is a hammer.  On the positive side of the ledger, ask Joseph as his brothers bowed before him in Egypt if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.  Ask Hannah as she nestled a little son in her arms if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.  Ask Paul on the road to Damascus if the Word of God is an omnipotent hammer.

            No force of man or nature can withstand the blows of the hammer of the Word.  Though a heart be as hard as an adamant stone, though a soul has turned from God, lived in wickedness, persisted in rebellion for decades, though a man lies nearly lifeless on his deathbed, the Word of God can break through a hardened heart, save, and deliver.  All opposition will finally succumb before the force of its inevitable truth.  When a sinner rebels, the Word of God hammers him into submission; when a saint repents, the Word of God gently hammers him into victory.  What formidable opposition, what impossible situation, what daunting circumstance stands before you today?  As you serve the Lord doing His will, all will fall before the hammer of His Word.  May we wield it with all wisdom, faith, and love.