yāḏa

Reflections
A beautiful, sophisticated featured image depicting an open invitation — an elegant open envelope with a formal invitation card partially pulled out, warm golden light, soft bokeh background, refined and intimate atmosphere, suitable for a faith-based blog post

A sure word and an open invitation

Listening to “There is a Cloud” by Elevation Worship this morning, which led me to Isaiah 55:11:

“God’s word will always produce fruit. It will accomplish all that he wants it to and will prosper everywhere he sends it.”

This verse alone tells me that God’s word is:

  • Everlasting
  • Effective
  • For my good
  • Intentional / goal-oriented
  • Assured
  • Thriving
  • Sometimes sent in seed form

To produce fruit implies a seed exists. God’s word may not always look “fully grown” at the time we receive it, but it will grow to completion — to the intended outcome (fruit). Galatians 5:22-23 names the fruits of the spirit:

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Faithfulness
  • Gentleness
  • Self-control

The verse says that God’s word will prosper, which in Hebrew carries a far weightier meaning than wealth and material success. It carries the idea of bringing something to successful conclusion, something succeeding in accomplishing the purpose for which it was intended. How are we measuring success? How are we defining prosperity? By cultural measures or by the fruit of the Spirit that’s being produced? That’s another message for another day, but still worth pondering. 

When life has us feeling buried, waiting for relief or justice that doesn’t seem like it’s coming anytime soon, or generally questioning the hands and heart of God, we can still have hope – not in us, not in other people, not in our circumstances but in the everlasting, effective, good, intentional, assured, and thriving word of God – the One who loves us with no bounds. 

More broadly than verse 11, the beginning of Isaiah chapter 55 starts with an invitation to God’s salvation. This is a no-strings-attached, no-pre-requisites-required invitation backed by evidence and trustworthy promise (v. 3-5). If you’ve been trying to satisfy yourself with what cannot satisfy you, I pray you would consider receiving God’s invitation without guilt or shame. Time is of the essence (v. 6). Know that God’s mercy is beyond calculation and He forgives generously (v. 7). The New King James Version (NKJV) says that He “abundantly pardons.” Verses 8-11 tell us why receipt of the invitation followed by repentance is worth it. We’re not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent so we’re not appropriately equipped to lead ourselves. The chapter ends with the aftermath of God’s word prospering – benefits to the receiver and glory for Him. 

The chapter starts with thirst and ends with fruitfulness, an image of a believer’s journey. Along the way, in the middle, we encounter God’s incomprehensible mercy, unfailing love, divine restoration, and unmatched power. But the journey is not a passive one. God extends the invitation, restores, and produces the fruit and the glory. Our job is to respond by receiving it, seeking Him, repenting, and submitting to His omniscience. It’s the same as if we get a physical or digital invitation – the sender expects a response. We can’t waltz through life expecting to be passive – not as image bearers of Christ. Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you. Action is required.  

Those are my north stars — the priorities of God (the Kingdom) and the character of God (His righteousness). He’ll take care of everything else. 

Make me prosper, God, in my:

  • Macro and micro (day-to-day) calling
  • Relationship with my son
  • Self-perception and self-talk
  • Endurance through tough seasons
  • Giving you the glory in all seasons, especially those of overflow 
  • Forgiving those who have hurt me
  • Empathy towards those who believe and think differently from me
  • Being Your image bearer to those around me
  • Generous stewardship of my time each day and the resources You’ve given me
  • Submitting to Your plans for me
  • Consistency in my prayer life
  • Contentment in my circumstances and my ability to see them from Your perspective
  • Showing love amid darkness
  • Volunteer role at church
  • Servant leadership of my church life group
  • Humility
  • Purity
  • Witnessing wherever I am, however I am for Your glory
  • Maintaining my focus on my north stars
  • And, yes, in my finances both to progress Kingdom work in the earth and for living an abundant life

May Your word for my life in each of these areas accomplish all that You want it to. 

Amen.

God’s word will always produce fruit. It will accomplish all that he wants it to and will prosper everywhere he sends it.