Sitting in my office, watching the rain falling outside, I think of God’s statement in Isaiah 55: “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, 11 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.” And as I think about this statement, I remember that I often underestimate the Word of God.
Just as the rain falling outside is essential for the growth of the fields, gardens, and grass, so the Word of God is essential for my growth in life. In times of drought, the world turns brown and dead. Crops fail, and gardens wilt. In those times, no one thinks that the answer is to plant more. Everyone understands that the problem is a lack of water. So often in life, we create a spiritual drought. Trials come, friends fail, money gets tight, bodies break down, and relationships suffer. Yet so often, we turn to all the wrong things for the answer to our discomfort. We look to the wrong things to provide us with direction, satisfaction, and happiness. Yet, time will reveal that these things cannot do what we are asking of them. Instead, we need the water of the Word.
Yet, this Word comes with a promise. As it leaves God’s mouth, it will not return without results. What God purposed with the Word will be accomplished. It will produce growth. At the beginning of Isaiah 55, God invites all who are thirsty to come to him to find water; all who are weary to come to him to find strength; all who are discouraged to come to him to find hope. We find him in his Word.
As you walk through the various valleys and struggles in life, look to the Word for hope and comfort. Discover in the Word the strength to carry on. It will not fail. Through faithful study and meditation of the Word, you will thrive in life regardless of the circumstances. When you are in the drought times of life, remember the rain and turn to the Word of God.