Monday after Cantate (Sing!), 5/3/99

Isaiah 55: 10--11, 20
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it
yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that
goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

In the Name of the One Whose Spirit is in His Word, amen.

With this short passage from the prophet Isaiah, God takes the blooming
and flowering of the plants and trees, His gift to us in nature every
spring, and uses it all to remind us of a far greater blessing, which He
gives to benefit our souls. He reminds us of His Word. He shows it to
us as something precious and vital and necessary. God assures us here
that it's His Word, which preaches repentance and forgiveness, that does
the work of turning sinful hearts and saving sinful men. His Word brings
us to faith. His Word gathers the church. Just like the rains that fall
and water the earth so that life comes from it.

No one should expect the plants and trees to grow or become better
without the rain. In the same way no one should expect to become holy or
saintly apart from the Word. In it the Holy Ghost shows us how we've
deserved God's wrath and punishment because of our neglect of His Word,
our quick tempers, slander, and other sins. But then He shows us God's
love in Christ. The Word shows us Christ's holy life, lived in our
place. It shows us His death for us on the Cross. Christ died and paid
for all our sins. He wiped them away with His suffering and death. And
He rose again, to rule and bless His church not only with His providence
but with His angels. He rules and blesses us in His Word, by His Word,
and with His Word. This Word is life-giving water.

It's this Word, which falls on our ears and opens our hearts, that
changes us. It first forgives our sins and sets us on the path to
heaven. Then, just like the flowering that takes place in nature after
the rains, it moves our thankful hearts to begin to do new and different
works--ones that are pleasing to God and truly loving toward one another,
and helpful. God keep you safe in His Word! Amen.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank your for giving us Your Word which
does not return to you empty. Help us to grow in faith by the Holy
Spirit working through Your Word. Use Your Word to keep us in the true
faith, and gather many people into the Church through that same Word,
amen.

Thank you to Pastor Aaron Hamilton for today's devotion.