http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Johnson/Edna/Elizabeth/1939/accomplish.html
It Shall Accomplish What I Please
Our Heavenly Father says that His word is like the snow and rain from heaven which make the earth bud and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Like the moisture from the sky, His word will not return to him void, but it will accomplish the purpose for which it has been sent.
The comparison here is between the earth receiving the snow and rain and being nourished, or watered, by it and His word (both Old Testament and New) being sent into the hearts of the people. Sometimes the earth is rocky and hard; likewise the hearts of the people may not be receptive, yet the gospel has a way of softening or watering those stony hearts to make them grow into what God wants them to be.
When we have studied and worked with an individual or a group of people who seem not to understand or respond, we need to remember this passage and know that God’s word will not return to him empty. It will accomplish His will even if it only serves to put Jesus’ enemies under his feet (1 Cor 15:24-26). Our Father is fair and will give these people every possible chance to repent (2 Pe 3:9).
God has ordained that He will accomplish His will through His word. Man’s ways and thoughts are not the same as God’s ways and thoughts (Isa 55:8-9). The only way we can know God’s thoughts is for Him to reveal them to us, for only the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God (1 Cor 2:11). God’s prophets and apostles were inspired to write the word of God in the scriptures (2 Tim 3:16-17). They were guided into all truth (Jn 16:13).
We can build with wood, hay and stubble, but the only thing that will endure the test of the fire is gold (1 Cor 2:12-13). God’s word is pure gold, and we must use it to build in the hearts of the people. The Lord commanded Timothy to preach what he heard from the inspired apostle (2 Tim 2:2), and was told to preach God’s word (2 Tim 4:4). He commands us to preach the oracles of God (1 Pe 4:11). If we trust Him, and preach His word, it will not return to Him void.
Beth Johnson
The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The King James Version.
The King James Version.
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)
(http://www.oldpaths.com)