Nougat 12

Have you ever thought of God’s Word as purposeful? Why/not? As we consider Today’s Holy Nougat, let us be conscious about our expectations of God’s Word.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Purpose-fueled Word

For the most part, except in times of drought, we expect that the Water cycle will go as planned. That is, water rises to the sky in evaporated form, condenses upon contact with the cooler air at the high altitudes and when the timing is right, becomes rain or snow. This precipitation replenishes water supplies, irrigates the soil and provides refreshment to our bodies. Even as it does this, some of the liquid evaporates and rises to the sky as the cycle begins again.

As ones who understand the value of water, we know that cycle is critical to the flourishing of life. And, when water fails to fulfill its purpose, we are conscious that we have a crisis on our hands.

If we were to apply the principle of the Water Cycle to our Nougat, we realize that God’s Word is exceedingly essential to life. The slight difference is that for me, the cycle of purpose in relation to God’s Word begins with God. So once God has spoken, whether we see it immediately manifested or not. Having been spoken, God’s Word replenishes the voids created by our sin, irrigates our faith and gives us new reasons to Hope.

Sometimes the Word is situationally specific, and does this on a micro level (like words of personal prophecies, of healing and deliverance). Outside of that, when we refer to Scripture, our focus would be on promises and prophecies, and to a lesser extent commands – as commands have a slightly different purpose. It usually is helpful for us to understand the context and purpose of Scripture, so we can ‘see’ its application to our life. There may be times when it seems there’s a drought and God’s Purpose seems unclear, our Nougat is our guarantee that God will honor that which God has promised.

I wish to make a slight yet critical deviation from the literal reference of God’s Word in our Nougat, and invite us to consider the potency of this assurance in respect of Jesus Christ. In John 1 we learn that Jesus is The Word (of God). John assured us who believe this, that The Word, Jesus, exists before the beginning of time. Thus each time God speaks, Jesus is present. John further assured us that not only was The Word present before time began, but the The Word also became human (incarnate) and lived in our midst.

If we plug John’s premise, we can hear Isaiah speaking prophetically to us about God’s Word. For God’s Word, Jesus, did not return to Heaven until every aspect of His purpose in that season was fulfilled. We see the Gospels chronicling Jesus’ accomplishments according to Scripture. So the literal speech of God was visibly fulfilled in the personhood of Jesus.

In coming to earth, living with us as one of us, going the Way of the Cross, rising from and conquering Death, our enemy, and ministering among the people for forty days after, Jesus’ physical purpose was fulfilled. There was another element to Jesus’ arrival. And that was to ensure that we understand Scripture, and in so doing, establish our direct connection to God, so that God’s Word becomes fully manifested through/in us. So although Jesus’ Ascension proved the fulfillment of God’s Word (hence Jesus returning to Heaven), there’s more to come as the Cycle continues.

God’s Spirit more dwells in us, ensures the fulfillment of prophecies, healing and the Salvation Plan, while being in Heaven to intercede on our behalf. There is another round of The Word coming once again, and that time, we will return with Him. Can we see Purpose in God’s Word over our lives? What will we do with The Word?

May all we seek be found in Christ