Cause, Effect, and Purposes of the Word

“Do two walk together,
    unless they have agreed to meet?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
    when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from his den,
    if he has taken nothing?
Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth,
    when there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
    when it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
    and the people are not afraid?
Does disaster come to a city,
    unless the Lord has done it?

For the Lord God does nothing
    without revealing his secret
    to his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
    who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken.” Amos 3:3-8

 

The shepherd prophet Amos illustrates, with several common and understandable life instances, the power of cause and effect: nothing occurs without a first cause, and every cause necessitates an effect. He who carried God’s prophecies to Israel used the art of the words to describe the purpose of the Word, and like a lion, roared the meaning loud and clear. Every word of God was true and meaningful, and came as either cause, or effect.

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In other words, “Every word of God proves true.” None of God’s words falls to the ground without accomplishing its intended purpose. 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.” If every part of the Bible has meaning, how am I availing myself of its rich bounty? (Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 55:10-11)

I cannot walk in step with Christ without committing to meet with Him, and learning His stride. How deliberately do I carve out uninterrupted time to worship, read His very words to me, listen for His instruction, blessing, comfort, wisdom for my need? Every challenge I encounter is designed with holy purpose, and I can miss out on seeing God’s providential hand, or participating in His work, when I fail to consider the divine cause of what comes my way, or the effects of how I respond or behave. His determinations are wise, and I would be wise to get in sync with them by seeking His intentions behind the scenes.

Am I rattled by difficulties? Do I fear or lose focus when things get off-kilter? Or will I look to the Master Architect of time and circumstances and look for His purpose in my hardships? Am I doubting His goodness, or accusing Him of arbitrary inflictions, without seeking understanding of His higher ways? What might He intend to reveal of Himself, or teach me? How might He desire to use or sanctify me?

Father God, You rule over all things visible and invisible, all beginnings and endings. Grant me keen insight through Your word, and compel me to take full advantage of Your every cause and effect, for the accomplishing of Your glorious purposes.

 

One thought on “Cause, Effect, and Purposes of the Word”

  1. What a blessing this reading was to my heart today. I thank God for His children who desires to share God’s Love, Light and Hope by pointing others to Him.

    Thank you,

    God is Always Good.

    “Every word of God proves true.” None of God’s words falls to the ground without accomplishing its intended purpose. “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.” If every part of the Bible has meaning, how am I availing myself of its rich bounty? (Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 55:10-11)

    Like

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