Isaiah 55:10-11 – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (NIV)

Some time ago, a reader of the PresbyCan devotional responded this way to a devotional of mine that had appeared: "Thanks for continuing to put the world back together, one inspired thought at a time."

As I read her words, God really spoke to me concerning the truth of them. For when God inspires and prompts people to write devotionals or to read them, His Word goes forth from His heart to our hearts, and it accomplishes His purpose. It does what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent it. It waters our souls, our beings, which in turn puts the world back together just a little bit more, because that is what God does. The chaos which the sin within us and around us creates, He turns into order — His good and perfect order.

After all, consider how many times you have read a PresbyCan devotional and God has spoken to your heart by giving you an answer that you were searching for, or by lifting up your discouraged or depressed spirit. How many times has a devotional set things right for you that day? How many times have you been prompted to forward a devotional to someone who came to mind as you read it? Only God knows how many times that action has brought others just that much closer to Him, because that's what God's Word does. It goes about His business, putting the world back together one inspired thought at a time.

So, the next time when we feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit, let's pay attention and follow what He is saying to us, for this is God speaking to us. This is His Word through His Spirit. When we pay attention and do as He instructs, each one of us will be continuing to put the world back together again one inspired thought at a time, because that's what God does in and through those who listen and obey. It's quite awe-inspiring when you think about it, isn't it?!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word that does not return to You empty but accomplishes what You desire and achieves the purpose for which You sent it. Grant us sensitive ears and hearts to hear Your Word through Your Holy Spirit that we might act upon it and continue to put the world back together again one inspired thought at a time. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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