The Bible Gives Life - No Empty Word

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens

and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow,

producing seed for the farmer

and bread for the hungry.

It is the same with my word.

I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to,

and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

(Isaiah 55:10-11, NLT)

I am a Florida girl. We are known for all things sunshine and heat. In the summer, the heat reaches suffocating heights. The air is thick with humidity, and the heat of the sunshine sucks the life right out of all that live in its oppressive rays. Every summer, I watch our plants droop as the sun rises in the sky. They almost melt before your eyes under the blazing heat. But Florida is also notorious for its summer afternoon thunderstorms. You can set your watch by it. It always amazes me to see our plants go from wilting, drooping, and sad-looking to upright and strong. The difference maker is the rain. It brings the nourishment the plants so desperately need to survive. The rain penetrates the parched earth and flows deeply to the roots of thirsty, weary plants. Water delivers nutrients from the soil to the plant and keeps the plant firm and upright. It is also a key component in photosynthesis (which is how plants create energy). Rain has purpose. It helps plants to grow, to remain upright, to produce useful fruit, and to thrive.

Many times I’ve read my Bible, and it just fell flat. It didn’t make sense or didn’t seem applicable. I’ve read verses and wondered why they were there. They seemed pointless or boring or weird. Lots of weird (hello, Leviticus!). But then I came across this promise in Isaiah.

The fancy way we often say this is that Scripture does not return void. It has purpose. Every single word. Even all those genealogies. Even those weird passages in Leviticus. It is not in Scripture by accident. Our deliberate God has one big story to tell from Genesis to Revelation: the story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. God uses this story to do something incredible in us. Like rain causes the seed to grow and the plants to sprout, remaining upright and firm, so God’s Word does a work in us. It grows us. It revives us. It produces fruit. It helps us thrive.

In times of stress, hardship, and unexpected circumstances, the Bible is a lifeline, reminding us who God is and what He has promised us. It lifts us up and gives us hope. Psalm 119 is one of my favorite chapters to remind us of this promise.

“My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!” (Psalm 119:25)

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:50)

“I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!” (Psalm 119:107)

And that is only scratching the surface!

Take It a Step Further:

I encourage you to spend a little extra time today reading through Psalm 119 and see all the ways Scripture gives life. We may not always feel it in the moment, but we can trust that when we read the Bible, God is watering seeds. He is using Scripture and accomplishing a purpose through it. When we are faithful to open it, He is faithful to use it. It goes out from His mouth, and it does not return empty. Again, this is no empty word! God’s Word is not only our very life, but it also gives us life!

Prayer:

God, You promise to use Scripture, so I pray today as I read that you will water the seeds of faith in me. Let them grow, remain firmly rooted, and may it produce fruit in my life.