“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

This passage is often quoted by preachers (or about preaching). It is, understandably, a great encouragement, and a promise to cling to. It also applies to any sincere and faithful use of God’s Word as we seek to share it with people both inside and outside the church.

As I write these words, a soft, gentle rain is falling, and I can sense that it is refreshing the plants in our garden, and also the fields and hills around us. It is doing something. It’s having an effect.

‘Like the rain and snow that seem to be wasted, God’s Word accomplishes His will on the earth.’ Warren Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.486.

Because God’s ”thoughts” (and ”ways”) are ”higher” than ours, His Word needs to ”come down from heaven” to us, as ”the rain and the snow” do. Here on earth, and in our hearts, His Word works.

”One way or other, it will take effect.” Matthew Henry