“…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.”
(Isaiah 55:11)
The Word of almighty God surges with the same divine power and authority of its Author. This explains why the Holy Scripture is so much more than just words on a page recounting stories from the past. As the writer of Hebrews 4:12-13 states, “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart: neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
Further, the significance of what God has to say to man was of such importance that The Word of God is clearly seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John tells us in the first chapter of his gospel that the Word was with God in the beginning, the Word was God, and that same Word was sent to earth to communicate God to His people. This explains why no other text written before or since can compare in any form with the living, active Word of God that works redemption, and further sanctification, through the Spirit’s application of its truth in light of Christ’s work, in the hearts and lives of God’s people.
The Word of God has piercing properties – both to those that believe and even to the wicked. No other weapon exists with divine power capable of wounding the souls of men. It is so powerful that it quickens the sinner to make his conscience feel its force as the Spirit works the Word in his soul. It rips open the heart of the sinner, causing him to throw aside all his disguises and pretenses, leaving him with no reasons to allege, no excuses to make, no arguments to plead against an all-powerful Word of God.
Isaiah 55:10-11 states that God’s word is effectual. It is never preached in vain. It works God’s will in its heralding every time. It works wherever it is sent, to convert or to harden. In short, God’s Word produces God’s will in God’s way and God’s time without fail.
Thomas Manton rightly said, “There is nothing else but the Word of God which can refer men’s consciences before His tribunal, who alone gives laws to the conscience, and appalls the stoutest sinners. The majesty of God is seen in His Word ransacking the conscience.”
Jesus Christ, the great prophet of the church, uses God’s Word to govern His church through His ministers who are to declare it with power and authority, regardless of how it is received. The prophet Jeremiah wanted to give up preaching when he heard “the defaming of many, and the word of the Lord [being] made a reproach,” (Jer. 20:8–11). “But the Lord is with me, as a mighty and terrible one.” God ministered to Jeremiah’s spirit and strengthened his confidence in the power of the Word to do His work so Jeremiah could continue preaching in spite of the reproach from his hearers.
God’s Word is a powerful instrument in God’s hand when used as God wills to make us pliable to every holy purpose. Read and study the Holy Scripture diligently and daily as a means of grace, and you shall find it will awaken you… even wound and heal you… and thereby demonstrate the power and glory of God in your life.
- Lord, I pray that the preachers and teachers in Your church would be soundly taught and handle Your Word with wisdom. As Your Word sanctifies me and moves me to good works, it is very important that I sit under a minister who studies Your Word faithfully and handles it responsibly.
- Lord, help me embrace such a ministry for my good, and cause it to refine me as silver and gold in the fire.
- Lord, help me see the promises of Your Word as abundant as the rain that falls, as it is said in the text (Isa. 55:10-11). Help me see that this is the means by which Your grace soaks into my heart to make it fruitful that I might not only study it diligently in my private devotional times but also heed it well with open heart and mind when ministered to me publicly. Also, help me discern between preaching of Your Word by ministers You have appointed and false teachers who are like clouds without rain. They “boast of a false gift,” (Prov. 25:14). A great deal of show can influence the minds of the simple where there is but little substance and truth.
Further References for Isa. 55:11
Isa. 40:8; Deut. 32:2; Matt. 24:35; John 6:63; Heb. 4:12
