The Power of the Word

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy Of: Andrik Langfield

“For just as rain and snow fall from heaven

and do not return there

without saturating the earth

and making it germinate and sprout,

and providing seed to sow

and food to eat,

so my word that comes from my mouth

will not return to me empty,

but it will accomplish what I please

and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

~Isaiah 55:10-11

We all know how it feels- that sense of despair and frustration that washes over us when our quiet time is interrupted yet again. Our dream of music playing, birds singing, silence otherwise abounding, and coffee warming us while we read the Word is dashed again when it is interfered with by a child, a phone call, or a need. 

But may I offer a word of encouragement to you today, friend?

We don't have to feel this way! In fact, we have no reason at all to feel this way if we understand where the power of time in the Word comes from!

The problem is that, all along, we have been viewing the power of our Bible study time as being found in the "perfect" atmosphere - as if the birds singing, music playing, and uninterrupted nature of our quiet time is where the power of God's Word is to be found. 

But it isn't!

That beautiful and encouraging passage above shows us that the power of our time in the Word comes from the Word itself - not from the atmosphere surrounding it. 

Which means, then, that you can get just as much out of your time in the Word if children are making noise, the coffee is cold, and there is no music playing as you do when your quiet time is truly quiet.

So, take heart, my friend! Rest in the knowledge that, as Hebrews 4:12 tells us, the Word is alive, active, and powerful and, as Isaiah writes, will not return void. 

What's important is that you are simply in the Word - not what the extenuating circumstances look like when you're in the Word!