2026 Pentecost Devotions I
Monday, July 6
Isaiah 55:10-13
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 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 succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle,
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
“… 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle, and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. …”
Like most of the people in the central and eastern United States, the last week has been a scorcher. Temperatures ranged in the high nineties with heat indexes over one hundred. It was brutal; but not unexpected for July in this part of the country. Such heat is a reminder that summer has come.
Isaiah’s words about the abundant rain and snow coming forth to water the earth and the arrival of the cypress overcoming the brier echo the arrival of a new season – the season of God’s Word. For the people of Israel, who have languished in the barrios of Babylon for fifty years, this season brings hope for renewal of ancient lands and restoration of ancient ways. The season of God’s deliverance has come.
Such a sign for the people of Israel from Isaiah is a sign of hope for us as well. The new season announced by God through the prophet Isaiah is an everlasting memorial to God’s deliverance of all God’s people. As sure as the summer brings forth long, hot days, so too the coming of the Lord ushers in times of renewal, restoration, and hope. As certain as the flowers in spring, the autumn colorful leaves, and the snow of winter, so too is the certainty of God’s Spirit active and alive in our lives.
Isaiah’s words aren’t just for the people of his time but of our time as well. As the prophet writes: “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 succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” This is the promise, and it’s as certain as the long, hot days of summer.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Your Word and the restoration, renewal, and hope that it gives to all the world. Amen.