“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. 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.”-Isaiah 55:10-11
As I write these words, the date is October 29. Here in Gillette, Wyoming, it is snowing. It’s beautiful. Snow is lovely and majestic. And yet, I don’t readily get excited about snow right now. Why? It isn’t winter yet! It's fall! Can’t it just rain until exactly December 25? Then on Christmas day, it can snow with abandon. Let it rip then! But snow on October 29? No thanks. All kidding aside though, how can I truly complain. I really can't and shouldn't because God is providing what we need. He is sending moisture to provide the land, animals, and all of us with water that we can’t do without. Similarly, oh how we need His Word sent out so that our souls might be refreshed with His great truth. Yet I ponder, are we truly thirsty and thankful to hear what God has to say?
Without a doubt, God is sending out His Word everywhere. He says He is doing so. It will accomplish what He desires! His Word is like no other word, for His Word teaches us what is right, what is wrong, and what truly matters. Here’s how 2 Timothy 3:16-17 puts it: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” It’s super clear - His Word is essential. His Word is what our souls desperately need, just like our bodies absolutely need water. No water ultimately means no life. No Word ultimately means no true life for our souls.
Are we paying attention to God’s Word? Do we search the Bible daily to hear from God? Is the truth from His Word being stored in our minds and hearts? Are we not only listening to what He has to say, but are we putting it into practice? Jesus once profoundly spoke about the great value of hearing and putting into practice what He says, as well as the sad consequences of not putting into practice what He says. We find Jesus’ words about this in Matthew 7:24-26: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.” If we will listen to God’s Word and put it into practice, a true foundation is given to us - one that will last through the storms of this life. If we don't listen to and obey what He says, it's flat foolish, and we won't have a lasting foundation. What a potent analogy of the power of God’s Word heard and applied to our lives…or not.
God sends out rain and snow because we need water. He is sending out His Word because we need His truth! May we be ever eager to hear what He says through His Word. Let’s open our Bibles regularly and drink. Let’s joyfully listen to His Word preached and apply what we hear. When we do so, it will honor God and bless our lives! Plus, the fruit we bear will be a true blessing to those around us. So bring on the snow, and even more importantly, Lord, send out Your Word to accomplish what You want! We need it.
Cheer up, friends!
-Scott