“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
This may be one of my favorite promises from God. I had never before really paid attention to the surrounding passages in context with it but they just make it all the richer and encouraging. God is saying here that just like He sends out the rain and snow down from heaven and that they have a job to do when He sends them so He sends out His word. Rain and snow fall down from heaven. And it does not return back to heaven until it has accomplished watering the earth. We would not have flowers and plants and vegetables without water. The earth would not grow with no water. So the water that comes down from heaven has a job to do.
God says it’s the same with His word. His word has a job to do when it is spoken, or read, or preached, or taught! And it does not return to him empty, or as other translations say void. The Amplified version carries that void on to say useless, without result. This is what has always been a favorite and an encouragement to me. This is why we want to open our church doors with no judgment on people to come in. And we want the spoken word of the Lord to do it’s work. I have heard testimony after testimony of God’s word piercing someone’s heart that seemed way too far gone to us humans. God is making a statement here, a promise that not only does His word not return to Him void, empty, or useless but it WILL accomplish that which He purposes and it will succeed! I don’t know about you but that is really encouraging for me. For the people I pray for to GET IT! For the people I have prayed for that they will walk with Him to an abundant and better life. And for me! I believe that God’s word still has a work to do in me and that it will until the day I go home to be with Him!
Looking at this promise reminds me of another verse over in Hebrews chapter 4
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
God’s word is alive and it has a work to do in our own lives as well as the lives of those we love and sometimes those we don’t love. Sometimes it’s hard to think that God’s word is for even the most heinous people but it is and it can pierce any soul it chooses. I love the way this verse in Hebrews says it will discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart But it also convicts me, at the same time, because I am sure there are times that my heart’s intentions are not what they should be. God’s word has a work to do in my life and in your life too. My prayer is that I will not hinder it’s work and growth in me!
Restore 