Like the Snow and Rain

by Kathy Lay

This Week's Verse: Isaiah 55:11, "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)

Devotion:
In the past week alone we've experienced some pretty varied weather. From below freezing temperatures and wind-blown snow to a balmy 50 degrees and thunderstorms strong enough to knock out power for hours, we've seen the gamut.

In Isaiah 55:10, the verse immediately preceding this week's verse, the Lord says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry." He then goes on to explain that His Word works the same way.

But sometimes the snow can throw up a caution flag and cause us to seek a different route. Or maybe give up and stay out of the rat-race altogether. Does the Word ever do that to you?

Sometimes the rain is so fierce and unrelenting that it breaks weak objects and seeps through the tiniest of holes and crevices. Does the Word ever do that to you?

Yes? But then sometimes--those blessed other times--the snow, so pure and white, falls gently and peacefully, insulating the earth and quieting the noise in a peaceful, cottony silence. Does the Word ever do that to you?

And sometimes the rain is steady and soft, offering blessed refreshment and cleansing to a parched and dusty land. Does the Word ever do that to you?

The Word IS like the snow and rain. And no matter what the conditions are when it comes, we can always rest assured that God promises it will accomplish all He wants it to each and every time He sends it out.

Father, reading Your Word, speaking Your Word, hiding Your Word in our hearts--all of these are ways Your seed is planted. In us, through us, may Your will be done through the beautiful mystery and power of Your Word as You send it out.

Application: To fully rejoice in the power of God's Word, continue reading in Isaiah 55. Read verses 12 and 13 to see the awesome promises resulting from the sending forth of the Word. Claim them in Jesus' Name.

Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."(NKJV)
James 1:18, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."(NASB)