Friday, July 20, 2018

Power

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
Recognition of the power of God's Word v. 10-11
God’s people living in the Promised Land were forced to look in faith to a life-source beyond their surroundings. Egypt had the Nile to keep them alive. Mesopotamia had the Tigris and the Euphrates. But Canaan had only the rain—not a constant flow, but a seasonal intervention. God located his people where they had to live by faith in Him not once for all but continually. Even the Jewish exiles in Babylon carried a memory of this. They understood that rain was the difference between life and death.  
We also can only find life in a source beyond ourselves.  God’s word is our life source and it brings relief to our dry lives. God sends rain into our parched souls to quench, soothe and restore.  Sometimes we live through long dry spells in between floods of relief but our faith in Him will getus through. The rains fall and we are restored and what God desired to accomplish is accomplished!  Like the verse above says, His word does not return to Him empty. 
The power to accomplish GOD'S plan in our lives
Notice the pronoun "I", "My", "Me" in the passage above.  God uses His word to accomplish His purpose in the lives that belong to Him.  When I receive God's Word as the authority for the plan and direction of my life, I receive the full benefit that God has made possible.  Trust Him for the best in your life.  He loves us and only wants the best for us…His best.
Recognition of God's desired result.  v.12-13  For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.v. 12
A new attitude in life  Joy and Peace can be found in the most difficult circumstances for the believer who discovers plan and purpose for life from God and lives within that special plan.
A new result in life  Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off. v.13
There is wisdom, peace and joy found in God’s grace.  The picture is of the old character of thorns and briars giving way to the new character of purpose and beauty.  Such a life will become a testimony to the Lord of His goodness and provision.
Stop today.  Repent.  Seek the Lord and call on His name while He may be found.  Trust Him for the abundance only He can provide, and live the full life God has for you.
Scripture to Claim:
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NIV

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