The Free Offer of Mercy in God’s Word
I sat down to write this post last night and realized I had no idea what to write. Seems appropriate after my posting of MercyMe’s “Word of God Speak” on Monday, since “I’m finding myself at a loss for words.” So I decided to read the scripture reading for my church’s Wordstrong Bible reading program. The passage for yesterday was Isaiah 55.
When I saw that, I smiled because I love Isaiah. It is full of so many great promises and prophecies regarding Jesus. I’ve been using my New American Standard Greek-Hebrew Study Bible for my Wordstrong reading.
The first thing I noticed as I began to read was that the heading for this chapter was “The Free Offer of Mercy.” As I read on, I was reminded that this chapter of Isaiah has some wonderful passages in it. My favorite part of the chapter is these two verses:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11 (NASB).
I’ve always loved the idea that God’s Word does not return to Him void. If we read or share God’s Word, it will accomplish His purpose and His desire.
As I thought about this passage and the chapter heading, it occurred to me that the main purpose of all of God’s Word is to provide a free offer of mercy to all who seek Him. He desires that all come humbly to Him and accept His mercy. When a person really delves into God’s Word, just like rain waters the earth and causes seed to grow, His Word will cause seeds of faith and humility to sprout and grow. And when faith and humility grow, mercy abounds.
Have you received God’s free offer of mercy? It is His desire and will that all find and accept His offer. It is imprinted all over His Word if only you will look.
Share this:
Thank you, Linda
““For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.””
That was plenty!!
Blessings,
ann
Ann, Yes, His Word alone is sufficient! The rest is just icing. Peace, Linda
Linda,
This was much appreciated icing for one who needed to hear from Him. As you said, all we have to do is look … it’s right there in print 🙂
Blessings
ann
You found something beautiful to write about today . . .mercy! 🙂 I like that too, Linda, so much , that His word doesn’t return void. It has gotten so that I find I can’t usually send out a card without it already containing scripture on it or me putting a verse in it. I may not know what to say or which verse to use, but He always helps! 🙂
God bless you and all that He is doing in you today!
Deb, That is cool! I bet the people who receive your cards with scripture are truly blessed. I always love finding mercy in the Old Testament. It’s not something that was new with the incarnation and the New Testament. God has always been merciful. Peace, Linda
When in the word, God grows a beautiful garden.
April, Yes, He does indeed! 🙂 Peace, Linda