Words

My grandmother's high school senior portrait, 1916

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
¹¹ It is the same with My word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
¹² You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
¹³ Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.” (Isa. 55:10-13)

       Written words. Only recently have I come to recognize the countless numbers of written words woven into my daily tapestry. The genesis of my storybooks was a handwritten letter by my grandmother in 1955. The foundation of the Bible studies I teach and devotional website I maintain are written words. Most importantly, the primary source for instructions, encouragements, wisdom, and discipline I receive from God is His written Word - the Holy Bible.
       In Isaiah 55, the Lord describes the fruit of His Word applied: a life of increased joy and peace. Got joy and peace? Want it? Consume more of His written Word!

"Listen to Me, O my people...open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things!" (Psalm 81:8a,10b)