January 25

Isaiah 55:10-11
"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall proper in the thing for which I sent it."  (NKJV)

 God clearly states here that His purposes will be accomplished.  His word shall not return void.  Whether it is us or someone else, God’s word will not return void.  I want to be a part of that!  God has refreshed me and I don’t want to forget it and go about life “as usual” but I want to live my life to declare it!  I’ve noticed that the first day of anything new seems easy.  For example, that first day of exercise is good—its nice to get moving; yeah I’m burning calories; my side hurts a little, but it’ll be worth it in the end!  It’s the second day that gets you—my muscles are sore; it wasn’t this hard yesterday; my lungs are burning, is this really worth it?  The first day of spiritual growth is good—my sins are covered and I’m forgiven; God has put a new song in my heart; pain may have lasted for the night, but joy sure came this morning!  It’s the second day that sets the tone—I don’t feel like I have anything monumental to turn from today; I’m still feeling refreshed today and I prayed a long prayer and read a lot of the Bible yesterday, so I’m covered for today too right?  Queue Satan’s entry as we don’t get through that second or third day and he dumps guilt in our lap for not living up to what we were so committed to yesterday.  We feel guilty and give up hope and resign ourselves to being a failure.  Well, God’s word will not return void!  Don’t sit on the sidelines because you have failed—get back up, ask forgiveness, and resume that sweet fellowship with God!  It is the daily denying of ourselves and His power being perfected in our weakness, in which we will be continually refreshed and in sweet fellowship with Him!

Lord, we know your word will not return void.  I thank you for that and I pray I may be a part of that.  And I pray that this devotional makes sense too.  It’s kind of jumbled, but I pray it accomplishes what you wish and that it brings you glory.  May we daily give ourselves and our power up to You—the One who holds the whole world in His hand.  May your power be perfected in our weakness, because we’re broken and it’s all we have to give.  Amen.