Fruitful work

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving 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 empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

-Isaiah 55:10-11 RSV

God's Word accomplishes what it was sent for, but God shows how much He counts on our cooperation. His Word provides for "the sower" and "the eater", but can not help him who refuses to do what God desires. Thus unwilling to sow or eat can not obtain seed or nourishment.

God provides the means for us to accept salvation and live the new life He offers us. But this new life requires us to cooperate with Him. God generously and patiently offers all we need to live this life successfully, but He can't live it for us. For our own good He counts on us to make good use of His gifts.