Rain! Isaiah 55, Pt. 4 (Isaiah 55:8-13) By Pastor Dan Kennedy © September 18, 2016 www.pastorkennedy.com God accomplished several things when He gave us rain. God wanted to reveal His Unlimited Wisdom and Power through providing a cycle of water, on the grandest scale, over the whole earth, which is essential for life and growth, refreshment and fulfillment for every form of life on our planet. God also wanted us to discern the reality and catastrophic nature of Divine Judgment. God’s Ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.  God’s power gives life and refreshment to the whole earth as He waters our planet from the heavens.  God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.  From the Beginning · In the beginning, God watered the ground with a “mist” that rose up from the ground at night and through a river from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:5-6, 10). Noah and the Flood · The first mention of “rain” is in Genesis 7:4. God told Noah that He would be sending rain on the earth for 40 days and nights as Divine Judgement upon the wickedness of the inhabitants on the earth (Gen. 6). o At that time the springs of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of the heavens were opened (Gen. 7:11-12). o The appearance of never-before-seen torrential rains, underground eruptions, including all manner of associated catastrophic events, for almost a year as Noah and his family were on the ark while the water permeated the ground before the water subsided, could have easily changed the dynamics of the earth’s typography. o The water “prevailed” on the earth for 150 days (five months) before it began to subside (Gen. 7:24). o It took about a year for the water to dry enough so Noah and his family could leave the ark (Gen. 8:14). o Since there is no mention of rain previously in the Scripture there has been speculation that water could have surrounded the earth in bands of water vapor prior to the floodgates of heaven being opened. Could this have protected people from extensive damaging rays and particles from the sun and cosmos, allowing people to have very long lives prior to the flood? Noah was 600 years old when the flood came (Gen. 7:6). God told Noah that the lifespan of humans would be reduced to 120 years following the flood (Gen. 6:3). The first mention of rain in the Bible, has to do with severe Divine Judgment. God demonstrates that His ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.  God’s power gives life and refreshment to the whole earth as He waters our planet from the heavens above.  God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.  Plagues in Egypt · The next mention of rain also has to do with God’s Divine Judgement in the ten plagues on Egypt prior to Israel’s release from slavery (Gen. 9:23-24, 33). Genesis 9:23-24, 33 23 When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; 24 hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. 33 Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the Lord; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. What happens when torrential rain lashes the earth? What happens when God sends a gentle rain on the earth? What happens when God withholds rain from the earth? RAIN Rain thunders as it beats down upon the earth. It demands attention! We rush from its torrents and hide ourselves from its onslaught. Lightning flashes in jagged, serrated edges of white-hot, bold and undeterred defiance! Thunder roars, faint hearts quake, and children cry. Floodwaters rise and ravage the earth. No one can withstand the tsunami of its fury! God withholds rain; The earth dries up. The life within its dust dies; Hard clots of ground reveal the curse of drought. The land refuses to produce a crop; Searing heat scorches the earth. Ravaging fire fiercely engulfs the ground; Deep water reservoirs critically evaporate. Starvation ensues for man and beast. Everything cries out to God for life itself... “Give us Rain!” Glorious showers water the earth; Gentle rain causes the seeds to sprout! All life is refreshed, to grow, mature, bear fruit, and flourish. Water not only renews the earth, but God purifies water itself by filtering it through the earth… It saturates the ground and races in rutted channels toward the sea. Moisture is further purified as it is condensed and rises as vapor to form the clouds. It is carried on the wings of the wind to pour down once more, To restore life on the earth; To disburse drought and disaster; To bring life to living things! And then, to continue again to ascend to the skies, To fulfill God’s ancient and continuing purposes. No human. No man-made corporation, no matter how enormous the conglomerate, could, either now or from the beginning of time, provide and manage the never ending, complex cycle of watering life-giving essentials to the whole earth. Only God can provide the earth with fresh water rivers and springs, and seas covering three-quarters of the earth, ever flowing with purifying salt, with clouds, borne by wind as their chariots, sharing life-giving rain! Just as the earth’s water cycle is far beyond any human comprehension and ability… God’s Thoughts, Ways, and Power Are Profoundly Different from Ours Isaiah 55:8-11 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 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. To what then, does God compare rain and His cycle of water on earth? God compares the extremely powerful, intricate, diverse and profound, life-giving water cycle to HIS WORD. Isaiah 55:10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 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. A Comparison To God’s Word The Rain of God’s Word can come as a gentle snowflake, or soaking rain, or it can come as a torrential hurricane, or blizzardy snow storm. All will accomplish God’s purposes.   God’s Word can be revealed in the stillness of the night, or in great catastrophe.   It comes as God ordains and as He knows we are willing to comprehend. His Word holds us accountable whether we receive it or not. It comes as certainly as the clouds carry rain in the sky.  Across the world…the Rain of God’s Word comes down on those who either repent from their sin and are reconciled to God, or those who reject it, to continue in his or her sin.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the wicked and they find a place to hide from the storm, or cry out to God for His mercy.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the repentant soul who is seeking God and they receive it with joy, relief and refreshment.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the proud and defiant soul and they may curse it.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down on those with childlike faith and they rejoice in it.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down on those who worship another god and they either reject it, holding on to their own worship, or seek to know God’s Truth.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down upon those passing by on the “wide road” to destruction and they may quickly deflect it with umbrellas of disbelief, a carnal heart, or skeptical mind, lest it dampen or ruin the outward beauty of their self-made chosen covering.  The Rain of God’s Word comes down upon the mature and thirsty and they open all the spiritual storage units of their soul and drink it in and store it to be a continual blessing and refreshment time and time again.  The mystery of the Rain of God’s Word accomplishes the purpose for which God has sent it! 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. How Can God Have Everything in Control when the world is in such an awful mess? How Can God’s Word be Heard and Bear Fruit? Somehow people think God doesn’t have it all together! That the random breadth of His current REIGN, given our world’s condition, controlled by the kingdom of darkness, with the depth of sin’s depravity, cannot be comprehended, controlled, or managed…even by God….That People will lose track of His Word! Romans 11:33–36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Psalm 139:1-6 · God searches us and knows us (v. 1) · God knows when we sit down and stand up (v. 2a) · God knows what we are thinking (v. 2b) · God knows where I go and where I sleep and all my ways (v. 3) · God knows what I am about to say (v. 4) · God keeps me (v. 5) Psalm 139:6 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Isaiah 40:28 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Ecclesiastes 8:17 17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it. The foolishness of God is wiser than men so no flesh can boast. 1 Corinthians 1:23–29 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. “So that no one may boast before Him.” The Reality of Rain and the Water Cycle Reveals the Example of God’s Plan for His Word God’s Purposes are Fulfilled through His Word, just as surely as the earth, being watered by rain and snow allows life on the earth to flourish, so God’s Word will not return to Him empty. God’s Word will accomplish His Purposes. Isaiah 55:10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 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. Each person who experiences God’s Creation, or hears, reads or comprehends the Word of God… whether at home, at church, from a friend, or on the radio or TV – wherever: The Word of God is “raining” on you. God’s Word will bring us to account for who we are, what we believe, how we live, and our accountability to Him. God’s Ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.  God’s power gives life, refreshment and judgment to the whole earth as He “rains” on us with His Word. (And we are surrounded by the clarion Voice of His Creation!)  God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.  A Coming Divine and Blessed Day There will come a day when all nature will rejoice at the Blessing and Presence of the Lord. Isaiah 55:12-13 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” There will come a day when Jesus Christ Himself will be King of kings and Lord of lords. There will come a day when we will be with Him, in His Presence… Forever and Ever! His Word will be completely fulfilled. The Trees of the Field (closing song) __________________ Isaiah 55 55 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 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. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.”

Rain!

Isaiah 55, Pt. 4 (Isaiah 55:8-13)

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

God accomplished several things when He gave us rain.

God wanted to reveal His Unlimited Wisdom and Power through providing a cycle of water, on the grandest scale, over the whole earth, which is essential for life and growth, refreshment and fulfillment for every form of life on our planet.

God also wanted us to discern the reality and catastrophic nature of Divine Judgment.

•God’s Ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.
•God’s power gives life and refreshment to the whole earth as He waters our planet from the heavens.
•God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.

From the Beginning

· In the beginning, God watered the ground with a “mist” that rose up from the ground at night and through a river from the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:5-6, 10).

Noah and the Flood

· The first mention of “rain” is in Genesis 7:4. God told Noah that He would be sending rain on the earth for 40 days and nights as Divine Judgement upon the wickedness of the inhabitants on the earth (Gen. 6).

o At that time the springs of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of the heavens were opened (Gen. 7:11-12).

o The appearance of never-before-seen torrential rains, underground eruptions, including all manner of associated catastrophic events, for almost a year as Noah and his family were on the ark while the water permeated the ground before the water subsided, could have easily changed the dynamics of the earth’s typography.

o The water “prevailed” on the earth for 150 days (five months) before it began to subside (Gen. 7:24).

o It took about a year for the water to dry enough so Noah and his family could leave the ark (Gen. 8:14).

o Since there is no mention of rain previously in the Scripture there has been speculation that water could have surrounded the earth in bands of water vapor prior to the floodgates of heaven being opened. Could this have protected people from extensive damaging rays and particles from the sun and cosmos, allowing people to have very long lives prior to the flood? Noah was 600 years old when the flood came (Gen. 7:6). God told Noah that the lifespan of humans would be reduced to 120 years following the flood (Gen. 6:3).

The first mention of rain in the Bible, has to do with severe Divine Judgment.

•God demonstrates that His ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.
•God’s power gives life and refreshment to the whole earth as He waters our planet from the heavens above.
•God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.

Plagues in Egypt

· The next mention of rain also has to do with God’s Divine Judgement in the ten plagues on Egypt prior to Israel’s release from slavery (Gen. 9:23-24, 33).

Genesis 9:23-24, 33

23 When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; 24 hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.

33 Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the Lord; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land.

What happens when torrential rain lashes the earth?

What happens when God sends a gentle rain on the earth?

What happens when God withholds rain from the earth?

RAIN

Rain thunders as it beats down upon the earth.

It demands attention!

We rush from its torrents and hide ourselves from its onslaught.

Lightning flashes in jagged, serrated edges of white-hot,

bold and undeterred defiance!

Thunder roars, faint hearts quake, and children cry.

Floodwaters rise and ravage the earth.

No one can withstand the tsunami of its fury!

God withholds rain;

The earth dries up.

The life within its dust dies;

Hard clots of ground reveal the curse of drought.

The land refuses to produce a crop;

Searing heat scorches the earth.

Ravaging fire fiercely engulfs the ground;

Deep water reservoirs critically evaporate.

Starvation ensues for man and beast.

Everything cries out to God for life itself...

“Give us Rain!”

Glorious showers water the earth;

Gentle rain causes the seeds to sprout!

All life is refreshed, to grow, mature, bear fruit, and flourish.

Water not only renews the earth, but God purifies water itself

by filtering it through the earth…

It saturates the ground and races in rutted channels toward the sea.

Moisture is further purified as it is condensed and rises as vapor

to form the clouds.

It is carried on the wings of the wind to pour down once more,

To restore life on the earth;

To disburse drought and disaster;

To bring life to living things!

And then, to continue again to ascend to the skies,

To fulfill God’s ancient and continuing purposes.

No human. No man-made corporation, no matter how enormous the conglomerate, could, either now or from the beginning of time, provide and manage the never ending, complex cycle of watering life-giving essentials to the whole earth.

Only God can provide the earth with fresh water rivers and springs,

and seas covering three-quarters of the earth, ever flowing with purifying salt,

with clouds, borne by wind as their chariots,

sharing life-giving rain!

Just as the earth’s water cycle is far beyond any human comprehension and ability…

God’s Thoughts, Ways, and Power Are Profoundly Different from Ours

Isaiah 55:8-11

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

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.

To what then, does God compare rain and His cycle of water on earth?

God compares the extremely powerful, intricate, diverse and profound, life-giving water cycle to HIS WORD.

Isaiah 55:10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

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.

A Comparison To God’s Word

•The Rain of God’s Word can come as a gentle snowflake, or soaking rain, or it can come as a torrential hurricane, or blizzardy snow storm. All will accomplish God’s purposes.
•God’s Word can be revealed in the stillness of the night, or in great catastrophe.
•It comes as God ordains and as He knows we are willing to comprehend. His Word holds us accountable whether we receive it or not. It comes as certainly as the clouds carry rain in the sky.
•Across the world…the Rain of God’s Word comes down on those who either repent from their sin and are reconciled to God, or those who reject it, to continue in his or her sin.
• The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the wicked and they find a place to hide from the storm, or cry out to God for His mercy.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the repentant soul who is seeking God and they receive it with joy, relief and refreshment.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down on the proud and defiant soul and they may curse it.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down on those with childlike faith and they rejoice in it.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down on those who worship another god and they either reject it, holding on to their own worship, or seek to know God’s Truth.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down upon those passing by on the “wide road” to destruction and they may quickly deflect it with umbrellas of disbelief, a carnal heart, or skeptical mind, lest it dampen or ruin the outward beauty of their self-made chosen covering.
•The Rain of God’s Word comes down upon the mature and thirsty and they open all the spiritual storage units of their soul and drink it in and store it to be a continual blessing and refreshment time and time again.
•The mystery of the Rain of God’s Word accomplishes the purpose for which God has sent it!

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.

How Can God Have Everything in Control when the world is in such an awful mess?

How Can God’s Word be Heard and Bear Fruit?

Somehow people think God doesn’t have it all together! That the random breadth of His current REIGN, given our world’s condition, controlled by the kingdom of darkness, with the depth of sin’s depravity, cannot be comprehended, controlled, or managed…even by God….That People will lose track of His Word!

Romans 11:33–36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay him?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Psalm 139:1-6

· God searches us and knows us (v. 1)

· God knows when we sit down and stand up (v. 2a)

· God knows what we are thinking (v. 2b)

· God knows where I go and where I sleep and all my ways (v. 3)

· God knows what I am about to say (v. 4)

· God keeps me (v. 5)

Psalm 139:6

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Isaiah 40:28

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

Ecclesiastes 8:17

17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

The foolishness of God is wiser than men so no flesh can boast.

1 Corinthians 1:23–29

23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

“So that no one may boast before Him.”

The Reality of Rain and the Water Cycle Reveals the Example of God’s Plan for His Word

God’s Purposes are Fulfilled through His Word, just as surely as the earth, being watered by rain and snow allows life on the earth to flourish, so God’s Word will not return to Him empty. God’s Word will accomplish His Purposes.

Isaiah 55:10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

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.

Each person who experiences God’s Creation, or hears, reads or comprehends the Word of God… whether at home, at church, from a friend, or on the radio or TV – wherever:

The Word of God is “raining” on you.

God’s Word will bring us to account for who we are, what we believe, how we live, and our accountability to Him.

•God’s Ways far exceed any of our abilities and our ways.
•God’s power gives life, refreshment and judgment to the whole earth as He “rains” on us with His Word. (And we are surrounded by the clarion Voice of His Creation!)
•God’s has Clear and Certain Ability to Bring Divine Judgment.

A Coming Divine and Blessed Day

There will come a day when all nature will rejoice at the Blessing and Presence of the Lord.

Isaiah 55:12-13

12 You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown,

for an everlasting sign,

which will not be destroyed.”

There will come a day when Jesus Christ Himself will be King of kings and Lord of lords. There will come a day when we will be with Him, in His Presence… Forever and Ever!

His Word will be completely fulfilled.

The Trees of the Field (closing song)

__________________

Isaiah 55

55 “Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;

hear me, that your soul may live.

I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,

a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,

and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,

because of the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel,

for he has endowed you with splendor.”

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way

and the evil man his thoughts.

Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

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.

12 You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown,

for an everlasting sign,

which will not be destroyed.”