24 February 2015 - unavoidable conclusions

So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Your word is powerful, LORD. It is "living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart" (cf. Heb. 4:12). It is not like our words, it is "not a human word" but "word of God, which is now at work in you who believe." Because it is your word it actually works within us, transforming us. By the very speaking of this word the thing which it says is done.

So what kind of fire are you passing to our hands when you, the Word himself, give us your own words to speak? No wonder our hearts burn within us when you speak (cf. Lul. 24:32) You teach, "This is how you are to pray" but we are accustomed to hearing this. We become insensate to the fact that these are not our words, these are not human words, but rather the words of God himself. These are precisely the words which always achieve the will of him who sends them.

Jesus, you send these words into the world through us. They are spoken only if we speak them. But this isn't about simply repeating some ritual formula. We need your help, LORD, lest they become mere habit and ritual. As channels of this heavenly rain of grace we must not be like the pagans. It is not our own efforts which have power. When we are attentive to the words you give us the power which they possess is allowed to manifest and flow through us. Then the world is watered with the living water which only you can give. Then it becomes fruitful with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Seed is given to the missionaries who sow in lands far and near. The bread of angels is given to men. All this happens provided we give your word the space and attention to do what they are meant to do.

This is what you mean when you say, "I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours." It is not our words or our power in which we trust. It is your word alone which does not return void.

The psalmist reminds us to first look to you, Jesus that we "may be radiant with joy", and then, with our gazed fixed on you, to "cry out" to you. With our gaze fixed on the Word we cannot help but cry out the word which achieves the end for which you send it.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.