My word … shall not return to me void. (Isaiah 55:11)
For thousands of years, politicians and merchants have
made claims about what they or their products can do. And some of us
have learned, to our chagrin, that more than a few of these claims are
wildly exaggerated. Not so with God! He tells us that his word goes out
and never fails to accomplish his will—and he’s absolutely right! Think
about the word that proceeds from God’s mouth:
The word is
creative. Read the first chapter of Genesis. When God said, “Let there
be light,” there was light. So too with day and night, earth and sea,
plants and animals, and all the rest. All things, St. John says, came to
be through that word. When a word goes forth from God’s mouth, it
brings into being something that never was—life. It establishes in you
what is lacking so that his life in you can flourish, so that your faith
and your relationships can deepen.
The word is authoritative.
That might suggest notions of government, commands, and obedience. But
authoritative also means trusted, true, reliable, and dependable. This
is who God is! And he is for you. When he commands, he also offers the
grace to obey. Your obedience to him brings you life, because in
everything, he works for good with us. His authoritative word never
changes or varies. It never deceives or manipulates. It just is—solid,
true, dependable, and trustworthy.
The word is near to you. This
creative word, which you can rely on and trust and which surpasses
everything, is as near as your tongue, as close as your heart. You long
for life or peace, joy or patience, and the word, which is close to you,
can bring them about. Ask God for what you lack: healing, forgiveness, a
new start, or a permanent break with old habits. He will speak the word
you need, and as you take it up, it will accomplish his desires for
you.
Finally, the word is alive! Jesus, the Word of God, became flesh, dwelt among us, and overcame death.
Nothing
can conquer the word of God. So rejoice in that word today! Read it.
Seek its guidance. Invite it into your life, and watch it bear fruit!
“Father, speak your word to me today. I long to be made alive with you.”
from wau.org
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