Watching Over His Word

Sometimes I stumble on a word or a promise of God, and it gives me such joy and comfort, I want to shout it out loud! I came upon one of those today, don’t ask me how, because I don’t know. I believe God just sent that word to me, for comfort and reassurance. I would like to share it with you.

So, in the first chapter of Jeremiah, in the twelfth verse, it says “The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” Jeremiah 1:12 NIV

Thinking and turning over the word in my mind, I see pictures that expand the meaning to me. I imagine a large bird, maybe an eagle, with wide wings and an imposing stature, watching over its nest, where it has laid some eggs. The bird flies over and around the nest, protecting its territory and ensuring no predator is in sight, or is likely to come near the area. It keeps doing this, like a policeman on patrol, ensuring that its eggs are not stolen or harmed in any way.

Another picture comes to me. This one is a chef in a kitchen. A renowned chef, who has promised to make the best meal ever. Maybe he’s cooking for a president. He has made this promise and the event is being broadcast live on national television. There is no room to hide. All the ingredients have been set out. He puts the pot on fire, and adds each ingredient according to their proportions and timing. He monitors the heat, the quantity of water, the salt and seasonings. He is intensely focused. He stirs, tastes, lowers the heat and adds a pinch of seasoning. He hovers over the dish until it is done, and he is able to present a meal cooked to perfection. It turns out to be the best meal ever. His beneficiary is satisfied.

I feel this is how God watches over His word, faithfully and meticulously bringing it to pass; ensuring the word is fulfilled in the perfection of His will. Although from our point of view, we might feel the fulfillment is being delayed, or disrupted. We may feel we have lost time or the opportunity we saw had disappeared. But God, who sees everything beyond what we can see or imagine, He remains in charge and ensures that at the appointed time, His word is fulfilled. His timing is never late or early. He is always right on time. And nothing can change His plans.

In Isaiah Chapter 46, verses 9 to 11 state:

⁹ Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
¹¹ Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it. (NKJV)

Here, we see God’s promise that what He says, He will do. Through many generations before us and even in our generation, and in our own lives, we see evidence of His faithfulness. True, we are still waiting on Him for some things to happen, but even in our waiting, we will praise Him and acknowledge His faithfulness.

I recall a popular scripture in Isaiah 55 verses 10 and 11, which talks about God’s word never returning to Him void.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. NKJV

Today, I agree with Him again and declare, “Let Your will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Perform Your word, Lord, fulfill Your promises. Let all of creation respond to Your voice. Even in my life, Lord, as You have spoken, so let it be done. As you have purposed, so do. Let Your counsel stand in my life. Let Your word water my life, and make it bud and bring forth good seed. Let Your word flourish in me, to accomplish Your purposes.” Amen.