…so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
Isaiah reminds us that God’s Word will never return empty – it will always accomplish its purpose in fulfillment. God promised the Israelites that one day they would return from captivity and back to their homeland, and He fulfilled His promise. Isaiah writes that God’s ways and thoughts are not like our ways and thoughts – His ways and thoughts are higher. When God’s Word goes forth, it reflects His ways and thoughts.
Our words are often spoken in haste, sometimes untrue, and often unfulfilled. We speak what is in our hearts, and often our hearts are filled with impurities. James wonders how we speak words of blessing and words that are destructive from the same mouth: Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. (James 3:10) Scripture tells us that we will be held accountable for every careless word that we speak.
Jesus told His disciples that His words would never pass away: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35) The word of God will never pass away; it will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.
Perhaps God has spoken a word to you and you have been waiting for the fulfillment. I remember when my daughter was eight years old and I sensed the Lord speaking to me. He told me that she was going to be a powerful woman for God. The years that followed were stormy, and it looked as though His Word would not be fulfilled. Finally, I began to see her life turn towards Christ. She began to develop into the most amazing young woman! As I waited on His Word to be fulfilled, I doubted I had heard it. I wondered if He had changed His mind, but I kept going back to the time when I heard Him speak. He had confirmed it in His Word, and I clung to the hope in Isaiah’s word that God’s Word never fails, never returns empty, and always accomplishes what it has purposed. (v. 11)
What promise are you waiting for God to fulfill? Trust His Word.
It never fails. Sometimes the waiting is the fulfillment of His Word, but we don’t even see it.
Heavenly Father,
I cling to your promise that Your Word will never return empty. Grant me patience and trust as I wait on Your promise to be fulfilled.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
