Everyone has heard and knows about the water cycle. It’s something that is usually in the curriculum for us to learn in science when we’re in elementary, middle, and even high school. The process, although seemingly simple, is very complex. However, it’s usually taught by explaining and going over the three main steps, which are precipitation, collection, and evaporation. Now science was my worst subject, so I’m not even going to attempt to try and explain those terms. But essentially, what the water cycle is, in a nutshell, is the continuous movement of water within the earth and atmosphere. Because water is involved in every step of this process, we can identify the importance of water. We can recognize that water has a purpose.
Water is purposeful because it is something that living organisms (humans, animals, and plants) depend on in everyday life. It is something that can be consumed. It is something that is used in agriculture and hygiene purposes. It is even used for entertainment purposes like pools, hot tubs, swimming at the beach, etc. As time has progressed, we’ve even figured out how to use water as a source of power. Overall, water is arguably the most important resource that we have been given here on earth. And at the end of the water cycle, when the water evaporates and returns to the sky, it doesn’t return empty because it has achieved the purpose for which it was sent
God’s Word is very much like water, except instead of it operating in the water cycle, it operates in the Biblicycle. The Bible tells us “. . . 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” (Isaiah 55:11).
Precipitation
In that verse, God is speaking through Isaiah and tells us that His Word goes out from His mouth. So although Isaiah wrote the verse, God was/is the one speaking through Him. Like all of the old testament prophets and other writers of the books of the bible, the things they wrote down were all inspired and told to them by God Himself. God’s Word came out of His mouth like a pouring rain, and came upon them, allowing them to write the truth down that would be relevant to us all these years later.
When precipitation occurs, it’s important to note that it comes down in various forms (rain, sleet, snow, and hail). So when God’s Word comes down, it may not always be in the same exact form. It can be through daily devotion and meditation in the Bible. It could be through sermons or biblical commentary. It could even be through small group meetings to dive into scripture together. Regardless of the form, like I said earlier, much like the water, God has a purpose for it all. However, for that purpose to be accomplished, like Isaiah, we must share God’s Word with others. This leads us to the next step.
Collection
This is probably the most important step in the Biblicycle. In Isaiah 55:11, we’re told that God’s Word will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. So that poses the question, what does God desire? What has God purposed? Before Jesus returned to His Father, in Matthew 28:19-20 in the Great Commission, He tells us to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He has given us this duty and in order to contribute to the baptizing of others, we should share His Word with others.
In the collection phase of the water cycle, after the water has been sent to earth, it is now flowing and soaking into the ground. As it flows, plants are watered and collect certain nutrients they need to survive and thrive. God’s Word has the power to grow, strengthen, and produce strong believers. In this process, through us, people can have an encounter with God’s Word that will seep through their pores and point them to our Lord, like how a plant points to the sky when it is watered.
Evaporation
As we all know, evaporation is simply water returning to the sky. When the water returns, it does so having fulfilled its purpose. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that God’s Words will not return to him empty. So this poses the question, how does God’s Word return to Him? Why would a God, being perfect, even need His Word returned?
First and foremost, to answer the latter question, God doesn’t necessarily need His Word in terms of needing the blueprint for prudent living. John 1:1 tells us that the Word was God, meaning that God is the embodiment of prudent living. The Bible is for us to help us find and remember who God is. So because of that, God doesn’t necessarily need His Word returned to Him as He IS the Word. However, that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t WANT us to return His Word to Him. Now that the latter question has been answered, that leaves the former question: How does God’s Word return to Him?
Sacrifice, Worship, Prayer
Remember, in the Great Commission, we were commanded by Jesus Himself to baptize others in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When someone is TRULY baptized, that means that they have surrendered and submitted themselves to living for the Lord and have allowed the Holy Spirit into their hearts. As the number of Christians grows, the number of prayers, sacrifices, and forms of worship will naturally grow as well.
The deeper and stronger your relationship with God gets and the more you dive into the Bible, the more you will find your desires aligning with God’s desires. And as those desires get more parallel with one another, you will see that in your sacrifices of praise, in your worship, and in your prayers, you’re essentially reiterating what God has already revealed and promised to you. aka, His Word returning to Him. For example, in the Bible God promises us a peace that surpasses all understanding. Not only is that a promise from God Himself, but it is something that He desires for us. And remember, He tells us in Isaiah that His Word will accomplish what He desires. So when you pray for peace and it is accomplished and given to you by the grace of God, the next time you pray and thank God for the peace that He’s given you, you’ve just returned His Word to Him and it wasn’t empty because it did what it was supposed to do! aka . . . the Biblicycle!
Never Ending
The water cycle is a constant process that is always going. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, summer, fall, winter, or spring. The water cycle stops for no one. There’s nothing we can do about it. The same is true for the Biblicycle. It is a cycle that God has set in motion with intention, desire, and with purpose. And the great thing about it is that He has invited us to be part of this cycle. A vital part at that. There are millions of seeds out there in the world that are waiting to be watered. There are millions of seeds that haven’t even seen water before. God has called us to be a part of this cycle so we can be stewards of His Word that He is eager to share with the ends of the earth.
FUN FACT
The amount of water on earth will never be more or less than what it is now. It is set. It is enough. Now take a look at this verse about God’s Word:
“Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Related Bible Verses to Help
For the word of God is alive 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. (Hebrews 4:12)
. . . but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14)
The Reclassified 