What Does the Word of God Return?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

Today’s big question: what does the Word of God return?

God teaches us about His higher ways through His Word and Holy Spirit, and even after an entire lifetime of study, we would still have more to learn about His infinitely higher ways.

In this devotional, we are still examining the broader context of Isaiah 55:8–9 in light of God’s higher ways. As we read beyond verses 8 and 9, the Lord reveals more about His awesome character and Word:

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 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. (Isaiah 55:10–11)

Here is yet another analogy: just as the rain waters the earth and brings forth plants, God’s Word will never return void. Plants need water in order to grow. If they do not receive water, then the land will end up looking like a desert and humanity will starve, as we rely on plants for many things, including food.

By comparison, God did not give us His Word in vain, and it will always return results according to the will of God. This is one reason why it is important to use Scripture when talking to an unbeliever. Giving answers to an unbeliever is important, but we should bring the answers from a believer’s starting point—the Word of God. God and His Word give life—food for the soul.

If we try to do things such as witnessing in our own strength, then we will fail. We should always rely on God and His Word in everything we do. Remember the words of Jeremiah as he prayed:

“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

With God, anything consistent with His nature is possible, including His Word not returning void. In fact, God’s Word cannot return void because God never lies, and He said that His Word would never return void. God’s Word will return results, but it may be in ways that we do not expect; after all, God’s ways are truly higher than our ways!

Today’s big idea: God’s Word always returns results according to the will of God.

What to pray: thank God for providing us His Word that cannot return void.