ISAIAH 55:11-13: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” NKJV
OBSERVATION: Have you ever been so discouraged that you began to doubt the Word of God? As you read the verses of Scripture you wondered – “Will this ever be true for me?” Sometimes it seems like we are hanging on to life by a mere thread. We are waiting for the next thing to happen that will cause this thread to snap and send us hurling in defeat.
I think we have all felt like this. To be honest, I think there are areas of our life where we feel like this right now. Generally, things are going well. Yet, there is that one need, that one deep concern, that keeps us up at night. We wonder when God’s answer will come. Will, we really see His victory or will we be disappointed by continual delays?
In times like these, I love the book of Psalms and the book of Isaiah. The book of Psalms reminds me that I am not alone in my humanity. David, a man after God’s own heart, cried out in his times of doubt and uncertainty. The book of Isaiah reminds me of God’s faithfulness and that His promises always come true. Together they are like a rope held in tension that gives me the support I need in difficult times.
Today, as I pondered over the words of Isaiah, these verses came to life in my spirit.
- “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
I am reminded that God always watches over His word to perform it. When God speaks – He always does what He says. His word never returns void. It accomplishes all that He pleases. It always brings an increase. It always prospers. It is like the precious seed that is planted in the ground.
- “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.” Mark 4:28 NKJV
This is the way God’s promises take root in our lives. They do not spring from a seed to the full grain overnight. The seed is planted. It is watered by the Holy Spirit. The Lord tends to its growth. It sprouts forth – first the blade, then the head, and after that the full grain.
When God speaks – He always does what He says!
This is true with regard to His written word and the prophetic events that are unfolding in human history. It is also true with respect to the prophetic word that He speaks into our lives.
There have only been a few times that the Lord has spoken to me regarding my future in a way that was more than just an impression or an unfolding of circumstances. Although it was not an audible voice, it was as close to that experience as one could possibly have. I knew that I was receiving a prophetic word from God. The first time was when He called me into the ministry. The second was when He told me that I would speak before nations. And, the third time – I am still holding in my heart as it is still in seed form.
I had the privilege of pastoring for over 40 years. During that time I was granted the opportunity to create some training materials that have been sent around the world (speak before nations). And, now, as I enter the final lap of my life and ministry, I am holding His last word close to my heart. Like Mary, I am pondering it and praying over it. When I begin to lose hope, when circumstances don’t seem like they are moving me toward this end, I remember how faithful He has been in the other areas of my life.
What God has spoken into my life – He has done in my life!
When God speaks – He will do what He says! I need to be reminded of this. I need to be strengthened by this. I need to remind myself that God is for me and that His intentions are always for blessing and for good. And, I need to share with all who will hear – God is no respecter of persons! He desires to speak into each one of our lives to give us a word of hope, encouragement, and destiny!
- “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
God is not done with me yet. He is not done with you. His purpose for each one of our lives has been declared. He has spoken it – and He will do it! He will fulfill all the promises revealed in Scripture. And, He will fulfill the prophetic words that He has spoken over our lives. Even though we do not see the fulfillment of all these things, we are called to pursue them as if we do – in faith. Paul reminded young Timothy of this truth.
- “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare…”. I Timothy 1:18 NKJV
We need to live with this confidence – When God speaks – He will do what He says!
Lord, thank you for reminding me of this wonderful truth. When You say something – you will do it! When Your word makes a proclamation – it will come to pass! When you begin a work in my life – you will complete it! Grant me the grace and faith to hold onto this precious truth and by it wage the good warfare of faith!
In Jesus Name!
