“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.” (ESV)

“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.” (NIV)

“So shall” is a very odd way to start a thought… so let’s start from the previous verse for some context.

“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,” (Isaiah 55:10)

One day as I was finding a spot to sit at church, I found myself next to Pastor Tom. Pastor Tom had a reputation. He knew what everyone’s name meant and he wanted you to know its meaning too. I sat down, he leaned over, he introduced himself, and he asked for my name. “Rainer,” I replied. “Great name,” said Tom, “do you know what it means?” Before I could even reply, he declared “Rainer means bringer-of-rain…That’s good…Rain brings life to the earth. Life brings revival. We need more rain.”

Rain is a good thing. It has a purpose. According to Isaiah 55, rain surely brings life, just like how the Word of God surely brings life.

If you’re like me, not everything you do is a sure thing. Not everything I intend actually comes to pass. Often, my life is plagued by unintended consequences. Sometimes I try to do something for a friend, and it’s a mistake. My intention and my impact don’t always align. You know the feeling. You’ve made a decision with an unintended consequence.

Humans know that feeling… but God does not. God’s way only ever has intended consequences. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, providential and sovereign. Things always happen according to his will.

His very Word. Scripture. The Bible. Never returns empty. It always accomplishes the Lord’s purpose.

Christian, take up the Word of God, read it, digest it, memorize it. It will accomplish in you what the Lord intends. Christian, pass the Word of God on. Share it in your home, at work, and over the phone. Send Scripture out and it will never return empty. The word of God always brings life. It always brings revival, renewal, and restoration. The word of God is a bringer of rain, and we ought to be too.

Written by Rainer Erani