July 28, 2019: SOAP #3524:  Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 55:10 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, 11 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.

Observation:   What a wonderful cycle God put into creation.  The rain and snow gather in the storm clouds and fall upon the earth.  Then they return to the sky in evaporation.  But before returning to the clouds, the life-giving moisture enables the plants to grow and produce food.  Producing life is an intended part of the cycle.

And so it is with God’s Spoken Word.  Producing life, bringing growth, correcting, warning, teaching, encouraging, training…all part of the intended cycle of God’s Word.  It goes forth with purpose!  It goes forth with power!  It goes forth with an assignment to accomplish God’s will!  It goes forth as a part of God’s overall plan!

No wonder to each church in Revelation 3 and 4, we are told “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Application:   I am finding that the more faithful I am in reading God’s written word, the more clearly I hear God’s spoken word!  In reading, I am learning to listen.  My hearing is more acute.  God’s spoken word to me never crosses His written word.  Often I find that what God is saying to me, is written on the pages of the Bible.  Sometimes pondering the written word starts a thought process that leads me to know what God is saying to me.  Sometimes what I read prepares me to recognize His spoken word that comes later.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your written Word!  AND thank you that you are still speaking.  Help me be a good reader and good listener. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!