It Never Fails

I remember when we were younger, there was a company that made drinking glasses that were advertised as unbreakable. One day, one of those glasses fell to floor at the store and, you guessed it... it broke. Supposedly it wouldn’t fail, but it did. I have had friends that have promised not to fail concerning certain things, but they still failed... and I guess I have failed others before, too. So many things are advertised as something that would never fail. Is there anything that never fails? The obvious answer would be Jesus never fails, which is true, but I wanted to talk again about His word. In Isaiah 55 we read, “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.” We understand how the eco system works. Well, at least enough to know that rain comes down to water the earth and it evaporates, creating moisture in the sky once again. Isaiah is not just talking about the scientific process but pointing us even deeper to the One that sends the rains and causes the crops to grow and bear fruit. This produce then is used for food, all the while also providing seed for the next planting. God uses this cycle of life to describe His holy word. God not only sends the rains, but He sends His word into the world through prophets, priests, and you. The next sentence is where we normally mess up. When we share God’s word, we try to determine our success based on how well people respond. Where is the mess up? God says it will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. Our only job is to be faithful to share that word. God is the one that brings the growth. We are not responsible for the response. Thus, we share, encourage, pray for, and build others up because it is the right thing to do. No pat on the back is necessary. We serve God and thus are simply doing our duty. Our response to God’s word going out? “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you...” Lord, too often we long more for the accolades than a heart of obedience to You. Show us how we might reach out. Amen