God’s Word Will Achieve God’s Purpose in You
Scripture — Isaiah 55:10-11 (NRSV)
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
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 succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Focus
When we go through times of spiritual dryness, we wonder if God’s word is active in our lives. It’s easy to doubt when our souls are parched. But we can take encouragement from the promise of God in Isaiah. There the Lord says: “[My word] that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (55:11).
Devotion
The word of God doesn’t just sit there like a museum of antique truth that you can visit if you wish or otherwise avoid. God’s word is, as we read in Hebrews, “living and active” (Heb 4:12). When God’s truth is read, spoken, studied, preached, reflected upon, and obeyed, it changes individual lives. It alters relationships. It renews families. The word of God transforms organizations: churches, businesses, even governments. It reforms and forms the systems of this world to reflect the peace and justice of God.
These Life for Leaders devotions are built upon the conviction that God’s word “brings forth and sprouts.” The more we let the word of God in Scripture fill our minds and hearts, the more we let it guide our daily living, and the more we allow it to inform our work in every season of life, the more we will prosper. This doesn’t mean that each time we read Scripture will be a watershed moment in our lives. For the most part, our daily meditation upon God’s word will have a modest, perhaps even an intangible impact. We may wonder if it is actually active in our lives. But, over time, the more we reflect on the truth of God, the more we will be changed, becoming more like God.
When we go through times of spiritual dryness, we wonder if God’s word is active in our lives. It’s easy to doubt when our souls are parched. But we can take encouragement from the promise of God in Isaiah. There the Lord says: “[My word] that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (55:11).
May this be true in your life today!
Reflect
How has the word of God made a difference in your life?
How is God’s word active in your life these days?
As you study the written word and listen for the word of God’s Spirit, what is God saying to you?
What helps you to hear God’s word to you? What helps you to obey?
Act
As you read and meditate upon God’s word today, is there something God is guiding you to do? If so, act in faithfulness to the word God has put on your heart.
Pray
Gracious God, thank you for your word today. Your word, revealed in the law and the prophets, captured in the whole of Scripture, incarnate in Jesus Christ, living through your Spirit, is powerful and transformative. Your word offers truth, guidance, hope, and vision. The more we reflect on your word, the more we are changed to be like you. What a wonder! What a joy!
May your word permeate our lives, dear Lord. May we think about it, meditate upon it, obey it, and share it with others. As your word transforms us, may we be a source of transformation in the world. Whether in our families or in our workplaces, whether at church or in the community, may your word lead us to be agents of your renewal, justice, and peace. Let your word produce in our lives an abundant harvest for you. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Life in the Wilderness: Journey to the New World (Hebrews 3:7–4:16).
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...