Thrive: God's Divinity

Read Isaiah 55

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
 so are my ways higher than your ways
 and my thoughts than your thoughts.

"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 55:9-11, ESV

Reflect

Do I truly care about God's thoughts and ways?Do I truly believe that His direction can make a concrete difference in my life?Am I willing to read the Bible with an open heart and mind in order to discern what God wants from me?

God is clear about how He see His Word working in our lives. As the rain nourishes the soil, feeding plants and crops that will grow to sustain those who harvest them, God's Word nourishes our souls, feeding us so that we will grow and flourish and sustaining us through periods of drought and difficulty. What's more, God's Word contains a specific message and specific direction for each of us. Scripture illuminates the purpose He has for us on this Earth. His personal message is contained within the pages of the Bible. We must seek that direction first in order to be led by it.

Sometimes we try to "get through the Bible" instead of letting the Bible get through to us. Today, try to slow down as you read; perhaps even meditate a bit on the verses. As Henri Nouwen says, "Meditation means chewing on the word and incorporating it into our lives. It is the discipline by which we let the written word of God become a personal word for us, anchored in the center of our being." (Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith)

Pray

Lord, I know Your holy thoughts and ways are far beyond my limited human ability to comprehend. Yet I also know that You gave me Your Word as a means to grow closer to You and understand what purpose You have for me. Help Your Word mold my life into what You intend it to be.