My Word

Many of the most encouraging passages in Old Testament scripture are to be found in the Book of the prophet Isaiah.

Although there are many passages of ‘doom and gloom’, aimed at the stiff-necked, ever wayward Israelite people, Isaiah also came across with the most lyrical, heartwarming and encouraging of his prophecies for those that honor the Father.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from Heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word 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.”   (Isaiah 55:10-11)

There come times for all of us when we wonder if the Father is listening.  “Are you there, God?”  “Did you hear my cry?”

It pays to remember two things:

• Firstly, we are told to be careful  what we ask for, and what spirit we ask in:   “You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.  Yet you do not have because you do not ask.   You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.   You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?    So whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  (James 4:1-4)
• Secondly, we need to submit to the Lord’s timing.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”  (Isaiah 55:8)    It is indeed helpful to do this: remember, God’s viewpoint is much wider than ours and – assuming our request is a good one – he may delay its manifestation for a very good reason that we are not aware of.  Have you never in hindsight thought, “Thank goodness that didn’t happen when I wanted it.”?

This is where it helps to remember today’s scripture.  God has promised that His Word will not return to Him void.  If we have not prayed amiss, we need to bear in mind that according to Jesus, our Father wants to give us beneficial things:

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  (Matthew 7:11)

So, search your heart and ask the Holy Sirit to show you if anything within you needs dealing with, then wait in patience and thanks-giving, knowing that His decree will not return to Him without achieving His purpose!

For more details about the artwork and products, click on the image.