Efficacy - One of the Clearest and Most Powerful Biblical Explanations. "So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth."

KJV 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Explanation

Don't the future WELS pastors study this passage in Hebrew in the Isaiah II book from Jungkuntz' father-in-law?

How can anyone miss this foundational passage about the efficacy of God's Word?

When rain and snow are sent from God, He always produces results. That is the essence of Church Growth feverish longing - results.

But here is a twist of doctrine. God sends His Word to produce results while the false teachers of WELS-ELCA-LCMS-ELS-CLC send gimmicks, programs, and entertainment. 

I was complaining about our drought to a neighbor in the hospital, who saw the thunderstorm rush by from the picture window on the sixth floor. Rain pounded the hospital at 4 AM, for a few minutes. I said, "That is why the neighborhood lawns were a lush green." Neighbor - "Check your rain-barrel. It has to be overflowing." It was.

 

God says through Isaiah, "When I send rain, it has to have an effect, and I have established three effects of My Word:

1. My Word will never lack My purpose.
2. My Word will always accomplish My purpose.
3. My Word will always prosper My purpose." 

Farmers and gardeners know how true this passage is, because rainwater has a powerful effect while irrigation water simply keeps plants alive.

1.

God's Word is never a dead letter that we bring to life or a metal statue in the garden, pointing the way. His Word will enlighten or blind, convert or harden like the Pharaoh's. 

2.

We cannot judge the time or manner of its effect, but He will accomplish His purpose with His Word. That may take 20 years or 20 minutes. We trust in His Promises, not in our clever speculations.

3.

His purpose will always prosper, which can mean the destruction of a pagan population or the revival of thousands of former unbelievers and skeptics.