God’s word never returns empty

Go Out in Joy

Posted on by Betsy

I have confessed before that I am a lover of words. Words capture my imagination and take me to new worlds. Words express my deepest fears and unspoken longings. It is no coincidence that all of my favorite pastimes involve words: daily rounds of Wordle, playing a scrabble game called Words with Friends, reading, writing, and of course, communicating with people all day long through the spoken and written word. Words have the power to transport us, correct us, redeem us, and empower us.

Sometimes a particular word will come to my attention, and I try to find ways to use it just because it is so cool. Currently I am stuck on malarkey, pernicious, and obfuscation. I challenge myself to use new words in a sentence once a day if I can. What a bunch of malarkey, you say? Better than resorting to obfuscation! Using language that is unclear can be pernicious over time. Say what you mean and mean what you say, I say!

And of course I am a huge lover of the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, from the very beginning of existence.

So when I read today’s lectionary, the beauty of the words jumped out at me and made me want to just post the Scripture without commentary. Who can possibly add to these vibrant images of rain and snow coming down from heaven to water the earth? What words could enhance the picture of water bringing forth seed to the sower and bread to the eater? Isaiah is a master wordsmith. Just pause for a moment and drink this in:

Isaiah 55 (New Revised Standard Version)

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 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 succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

God promised his children that just as the rain comes to earth for a purpose, so does his word. Rain waters replenish the soil and help things grow before they return to heaven. God’s word is poured out on his people and accomplishes its purpose before it returns to him. You can count on this.

12 For you shall go out in joy
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

The notion of going out in joy and being led back in peace to God’s promises is a pure moment of refreshment to the weary soul and a reminder of hope to all who wait for the deliverance that God’s word brings. God’s word is an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. From the earth to eternity and back again, God’s promises are good.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle,
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

God is pouring out his word to you today. It might be a word of hope or correction. It might be a call to action or an invitation to rest. Whatever it is, it will not return to him void.

Are you listening?

Baby Osprey by Michelle Robertson

It Will Not Return Empty

Posted on by Betsy

Today is a milestone for At Water’s Edge. For over fifteen straight months, five days a week, you and I have shared a passion for reading God’s Word. The 300th devotional was just published, and that is only because YOU have been faithful to read them. Otherwise, there is no point in writing every day.

I believe God’s word goes where it needs to go and says what it needs to say to those who need to hear it. When I sit down every day, I don’t ever worry about what to write. I have faith that God will speak to us on these pages. I am simply the typist. He has never failed to bring forth a message, and when we receive it, he allows it to grow in our hearts.

And that perspective is biblical! Look what showed up in today’s lectionary:

Isaiah 55 (New Revised Standard Version)

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 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 succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Here is where we can take comfort in knowing that our daily pursuit of scripture intake will bless and prosper us. Even when a passage is challenging or seems to not be relevant, it will show up later in our lives if we are faithful in allowing it to take root where God has planted it.

And the result? Peace. Joy. Everlasting hope.

12 For you shall go out in joy,
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

God’s word never returns empty. It plants seeds that grow into sturdy trees of discipleship. And then you take that seed and plant it in someone else’s life, and it grows some more. When we are filled with his Word, we can never be cut off from his love.


13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

So THANK YOU, faithful reader, for going on this crazy journey with me. Thank you for sharing these posts. I cherish you more than you will ever know.