S63P6 – The qualities of God’s word: purposeful

Isa. 55:10-11

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water 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 shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

I know that I am not the only person who has spoken without thinking first. I also am not the only person who has said something that does not exactly come out as I intend.  Whenever either of these scenarios occurs, I end up having to explain myself to avoid miscommunication or offense.  It makes me realize that I never speak without some kind of intent even if my intent is not clear.  Sometimes my words are for encouragement, and other times they are for humor.  Sometimes I am trying to inform, and other times my goal is to convince.  The fact of the matter is that we always intend a certain result when we speak.  There is always purpose behind our words because we always mean to communicate something with them.

The same way our words aim to communicate something specific, the words of God also have a purpose.  We must remember, however, that his words are not merely for communication.  God’s words are not simply sounds or patterns of letters.  His words are active and moving; they do work in the Spirit and accomplish his aim.  When God speaks, He is putting the wheels in motion to achieve a purpose.  One of the biggest differences between our words and his is that He never misspeaks.  God says exactly what He means to say, and He calls forth his purpose exactly as He intends.  His word guarantees that it will accomplish what it has set out to do, and we can rest assured in that.  When God speaks, He is declaring his commitment to his purpose.

To hear the spoken word of God should be an exciting prospect for us because it means that He is moving and working.  God’s voice tells us that his word is calling forth his purpose, and that purpose will be manifest.  He does not speak any empty or hollow words.  He does not say anything other than what He absolutely means.  If God calls it forth, it will come to pass.  That is the power of the God we worship, that even his words can speak all things into existence, break chains, and cause action in the Spirit.  Father, thank You for the power and the purpose in your spoken word, and increase our desire to hear You speak to us.