Howard and I walk to Ryocucho (one of the local barios) each evening after work. Recently, we noticed one of the local farmers had improved his farm by painting his fence. We both thought it humorous that the decision was made to also paint the tree along the way. So then we wondered is it a tree or a fence post? What is its function or purpose? Also recently, I have heard several people in different contexts say, "...well you know, God's word it never comes back void." And while I think I understand what the speaker is referring too, I am thinking to myself, what does that mean? So I looked up in the Bible what the text really says, it comes out of Isaiah 55:11 "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Which in a weird way that makes perfect sense to me, brought me back to the tree/fencepost. I mean really it's a tree and men have tried to make it a fencepost. No matter how you paint the tree, it is a tree, its purpose is to be a tree. So that gave me clarity about the verse from Isaiah. God's word is God's word. God's truth is God's truth. Simply put, men have distorted, manipulated and brought the validity of the bible under attack. The final result however, will be that His word will accomplish what God desires, and His word will achieve the purpose for which it was sent.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
