Chapter 55 of the prophet Isaiah compares God’s word to the rain and the snow that come down from heaven, bringing life and moisture to the earth. Elsewhere, Psalm 65 describes how, after receiving water from heaven, the earth shouts for joy and sings God’s praises. If you are reading this blog right now, you have probably had some kind of an experience like this: you have received something from God, perhaps only a word, and it gave you life and made you want to sing God’s praises. And it made you thirsty for more. “Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you” (Psalm 143).
We all have acquaintances who are parched land but don’t realize it. They thirst, but they don’t know where to find water. They build kingdoms of dust that one day must be blown away. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24). Our desire for them is that they receive God’s word and bear fruit that will remain. God’s desire for us is the same, according to Isaiah chapter 55: “Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” May you and your loved ones receive God’s word and may it bear abundant fruit.