“Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.… Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:2-3, 7
The people who go out in joy and are led forth in peace (55:12) are those who develop the habit of hearing God’s Word and receiving it with faith and repentance.
Isaiah has a wonderful promise from God about what his Word will do in your life: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth…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” (55:10-11).
This is one reason why it is so important for you to be in a church where you hear the Word of God applied to your life every week. This is how God speaks into your life. Over time, his Word will accomplish his purpose in you.
This is also why any ministry that wants to bear lasting fruit must have the Word of God at its center. God accomplishes his purpose through his Word. You might accomplish your purpose without the Word, but you cannot accomplish his purpose without the Word.
Listen to the Word of God and return to him. This is a way of life, but it can begin for you today.
Are you in the regular habit of listening to God’s Word? Are you listening to it diligently—with faith and repentance?