The Word That Does Not Return Void
Plus Exciting News
The Word That Does Not Return Void
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water 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 shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11
Exciting News for Our Substack Family
Before I dive into today's reflection, I have wonderful news to share with you. The Broken Bridge now has a professional audiobook edition! Our Amazon #1 bestseller in Christian Fiction - audio- will be available for purchase at $16.99 within the next week.
But here's something special for our paid subscribers here on Substack: I'll be releasing two chapters per week at no cost, starting this Wednesday with the first installment. These audio chapters will include discussion questions on the chapter, linking the chapter with biblical truth. Feel free to answer them here on Substack if you’d enjoy a discussion.
This feels especially fitting as I reflect today on how God has chosen the format of "words" - both written and spoken - to communicate His truth to the world.
I also want to share a brief 8-second video featuring Fidel and Verita, the two central characters whose journey forms the heart of The Broken Bridge. Their story embodies the very truth we're exploring today - how God's Word transforms lives and accomplishes His purposes. Here it is:
The Divine Pattern: Words That Transform
There's a profound pattern woven throughout Scripture that captures my heart every time I encounter it. It's the pattern of God's Word - both written and living - going forth with divine purpose and returning with divine results.
In Isaiah 55, we see this beautiful promise: God's word descends from heaven like life-giving rain and snow. It doesn't return void or empty-handed. It accomplishes exactly what God purposed, succeeding in the very thing for which He sent it.
Now consider John's magnificent opening: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."
Do you see the connection? The same God who sends forth His written word with purpose also sent forth His living Word - Jesus Christ - with ultimate purpose.
The Word Made Flesh
Jesus didn't come to earth on a whim or as an afterthought. He was sent by the Father with a specific mission: to live the perfect life we couldn't live, to die the death our sins deserved, and to rise again in victory over sin and death. He came to purchase a people for God.
And just as Isaiah promised, this living Word did not return void. Jesus accomplished every aspect of His mission. His work was complete, perfect, finished. He returned to the Father having succeeded in the very thing for which He was sent.
Why Words Matter
This is why I preach. This is why I write. This is why you'll find me releasing audiobook chapters week after week.
God has chosen the format of "words" to communicate truth and salvation to the world. Not primarily through signs and wonders (though He uses those). Not through philosophical arguments alone (though they have their place). But through words - the proclamation of His truth, the telling of His story, the declaration of His gospel.
When we give out God's Word - whether from a pulpit, through a book, in a conversation, or via an audiobook - people will be saved as they embrace the subject of those words: the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
The Rain That Waters Hearts
Just as physical rain doesn't return to the sky but waters the earth and causes growth, God's Word doesn't return empty when we faithfully share it. We may not always see the immediate results. We may wonder if our words are making a difference. But God promises they will accomplish His purposes.
Every sermon preached in faithfulness. Every book written to point toward Christ. Every conversation where the gospel is shared. Every chapter of The Broken Bridge that finds its way into a listener's heart. These are all part of God's rain system, watering souls and producing the fruit of salvation.
Looking Ahead
As we begin this audiobook journey together, I'm reminded that we're participating in this ancient, beautiful pattern. God's Word - both the eternal truth of Scripture and the story He's given me to tell - will go forth through these chapters. And I trust that it will not return void.
It will accomplish what He purposes. It will succeed in the thing for which He sends it.
That's not just my hope for The Broken Bridge. That's my confidence in the God whose Word never fails.
Don't forget - our first audiobook chapter releases this Wednesday for all paid subscribers. If you haven't subscribed yet, now is the perfect time to join our community and experience this story in a whole new way.
*Isaiah 55:11