His Purpose Will Be Accomplished

September 29

Isaiah 54-55

Psalm 107:17-22

Proverbs 24:1-2

I Thessalonians 5:12-28

His Purpose Will Be Accomplished

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what pleases me, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:10-11 LSB

This is one of my favorite passages.  It explains that God’s Word is powerful and effective and it will accomplish its purpose.  I love the imagery of the rain and snow coming down from heaven to water the earth.  After the rain lands on the ground it doesn’t immediately sprout.  Growth is not instantaneous, but it is certain.  Rain falls and waters the seed.  The seed takes root and begins to sprout and grow.  Over time it grows larger and larger until it is time to harvest.  The farmer harvests it and processes it.  Then the baker buys it and makes bread with it to provide nourishment to us.  The process is long but predictable.  The same thing happens with God’s Word.  There are many ways that His Word is distributed to the world.  It is available by reading the Bible, hearing sermons, doing Bible studies, in songs, in books, etc.  Whenever God’s Word is heard or read, the person takes it in.  Usually, there is no immediate growth.  It takes time to digest and process what we learned, but then slowly it sprouts and begins to grow.  Often we hear the same or similar message several times before it really sinks in.  I know in my personal life there have been many times when I will hear a sermon on a topic  and then everywhere I turn I seem to hear things on the same topic on the radio, in my quiet time, in a conversation with a friend.  Finally, it hits me that God is trying to get my attention and I listen.  It is very comforting to know that God is working in my life to lead and guide me, correct me, teach me and help me grow.  His words have purpose and they will accomplish what He intends. 

This is also comforting to me when I share God’s Word with others.  I am not responsible for the outcome.  I don’t have to say just the right words to convince them of what I want them to see.  I may be only a single drop of rain that He is using that will be followed by a lot of other drops of rain before they understand and begin to grow.  God is the One who is at work causing it to accomplish His purposes.  As an author, I think and pray over this verse often.  I don’t know who will read the words I’m writing, but He does.  I pray that anything that is not from Him would be forgotten but the words from Him would take root and grow.  “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 LSB