God’s Word Is Never Wasted (Isaiah 55:10-11)
By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox
Today’s Bible Verse: “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, 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 55:10-11 (ESV)
In a culture overloaded and overstimulated with so many forms of entertainment, it can be hard to turn off the noise and open our Bible. Sometimes, I’ll think I’ll just check social media “real quick” but before I know it, I’ve wasted twenty minutes. Then I’ll read my Bible for five minutes and call it a day because now I’m running late. Does anyone relate? ::raises hand::
I’ve since tried to make an effort to open my Bible app first thing in the morning on my phone and read the daily Scripture before I do anything else—even checking the weather—to train my heart in this priority. To make, and keep, the first thing first.
But, we usually have those priorities backward, and I think it’s because we’re not consciously, consistently aware of the power that is the Word of God. If we truly believed God’s Word moved mountains, cast out demons, satisfied our hunger like bread, and was the power of God unto salvation—really believed it—we would surely never read, do, or watch anything else.
But we doubt. We get distracted by the cares of the world, the lust of our eyes and flesh, our own pride and desires and goals. We get caught up in the comparison game and keeping up with the Joneses on Instagram and making sure we’re in the running for Best Yard Award in the HOA.
And then the Word of God seems dim and distant and like an unobtainable bar to live up to, so we avoid it. Even as believers, we have those seasons in life where we focus too hard on the Proverbs 31 woman or on Paul’s courage and tenacity, and think, that’ll never be me… so we read the back of the cereal box instead.
But the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4) It has the power to renew our minds, strengthen our hearts, and equip us for battle in our day. If we never read it, we’re unrenewed, weak, and ill-equipped.
Not to mention, we’re then useless for witnessing and growing the kingdom. The book of Romans reminds us of the tangible importance of preaching the Gospel.
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:15-17 (ESV)
The Word of God is the power unto salvation. How can we tell someone about Christ if we haven’t read the Bible to know Him ourselves? How can we use the scriptures to lead someone to the Lord if we aren’t familiar with them?
If you’re avoiding the Word today out of shame or a sense of failure, take a deep breath. Remember there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) Shove aside that legalistic guilty trip and ask the Holy Spirit to breathe a fresh desire in you for His Word. Ask Him to inspire in you a deep love for the Bible. Ask Him to show Himself to you through His Word.
When we over-indulge in the endless scrolling of filtered photos and faux happiness, we’re emptied in the worst possible way. Those actions always return void and leave us wanting. But when we feast on the Word of God, we’re satisfied. His Word never returns void—it fills us to the brim in all the ways we long for.
Challenge yourself today to spend more time in the Word than you do on social media. Trade the snack bar for the gourmet feast… and be made whole.
Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of more than fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hero of a hubby, two total-opposite young daughters, a vast collection of coffee mugs, and an impressive stash of Pickle chips. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she’s not sweating it out at Camp Gladiator or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha—no whip. Look for her latest novel with Revell, The Key To Love. Visit her at http://www.betsystamant.com.
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