Can you have more than one “life verse?”
For decades I have used 1 Corinthians 15:58 as mine. Every time I sign a Bible, if the name is there … so will be this reference. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I love it!
But, having studied Isaiah again, today’s Text is impressing me more than ever. Isaiah 55:10-11 … “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. 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.”
Clearly the Focus here is “God’s Word!” Which He lovingly calls “My Word.” (A “term of endearment” I’d say!)
If the Author Himself is not ashamed of His Bible … I surely will not be! In fact, I’m thankful for It! I believe every Line of it!
This amazing Text begins with a word picture, an illustration, from God’s creation. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.”
Oh, the success of a rain shower or a fresh coat of snow! The creeks and rivers and (yes, ultimately) oceans! The crops yielding vegetables and fruits! (Take away that moisture and you have an arid, barren landscape!)
Then, in Isaiah 55:11 … “as does the rain and snow, SO the mighty Word of God!” Only MORE so!
Here it is. God is talking: “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.”
Wow!
The Word of God I preach … will NOT return void! “Void” means “empty, idle, worthless!” The Bible always bears “fruit!”
In fact, more than that … God promises “it shall prosper!” Again, we are talking about God’s Word! This verb means “to come mightily, to break out, to rush into battle (and be victorious)!”
Wow!
Notice too the “linkage” between God’s “Word” and God’s “Pleasure!” This noun means “that Which brings Delight!”
Here’s what I am thinking … love God’s Word (preach it, study it, meditate upon it, treasure it, obey it) … and you will be bringing the Lord Jesus Christ (Who died for you on Calvary) GREAT PLEASRUE!
Wow!
Enough should now have been said … to incite each of us to further (and more dedicated) involvement with the precious Word of God.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Isaiah 55:11
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