“Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” 1 Samuel 3:19-21
“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.” Isaiah 55:10-11
When God’s words fell on the dark and chaos of a pre-created world, order came, light and life appeared, and all was very good. When God’s words issue forth in the present, He still gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist. For those of us in Christ, we can chafe at judgment, gasp in horror, or marvel at His benevolent kindness, but in all things know that His word is good and works all things for good, according to His ultimate purposes. (Genesis 1; Isaiah 39:8; Romans 4:17; 8:28)
For us, the source of our words is the heart. God had developed in Samuel a heart for Him, placing him with God-honoring parents, and overseeing his being raised in the temple. When He called him, He trained Samuel to discern His voice, and empowered him for His messages. Like Samuel, when we meditate on the Word of God, it becomes us, and infiltrates our thinking and speaking so that not only we grow spiritually and flourish, but can aid others in doing so. (1 Samuel 1:11,19-20,24-28; 3:1-10; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:68; Matthew 12:34)
How well are we tending our hearts so they produce rich fruit in our words? Every input- reading, entertainment, a meandering thought-life- will influence our output. Have we fixed a filter for purity, checks of accountability with friends, limits on the barrage of media that clamors for our affection? Are we deliberately meditating day and night on God’s word, through set time in the Word, prayer, conversation, song? What are we doing to unite our hearts to fear and honor our Lord? (Psalm 86:11)
Once saturated with God’s truth and the divine qualities they impart, how intentional are we to upbuild, encourage, and console? When we encounter cantankerous people, do we have a ready word that brings common ground and peace? In anxious or complicated situations, are we prepared through soaking in the Word and praying ahead for every word, God’s direction, and humble receptivity? Do we waste words on superficial chatter, complaint, gossip, or boasting that detract from God’s higher intent? How are our words being used to instill hope, promote reconciliation, or offer salvation? (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Father, let me drink in Your words, and be daily enlightened and satisfied. Then may my words, at Your bidding and for Your pleasure, fall like rain in life-giving love, redemptive truth, and rich blessing to those with whom I speak. (Deuteronomy 32:2; Psalm 19:14)
As the rain and snow 