RAIN AND SNOW

Isaiah 55:10-11 offers a fascinating metaphor comparing God's word to rain and snow:

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
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

The rain comes down from heaven and waters the ground which then enables it to bloom and makes it productive.

Likewise then, God's word comes down from heaven and "waters" human hearts and minds, right? And makes them "bud and flourish"? 

It seems to me that the straightforward reading of these two verses is problematic for Calvinists on several fronts:

First, the doctrine of "Total Depravity" says there is nothing good in humanity which could possibly sprout into anything productive for God's Kingdom.

Second, the same doctrine teaches that humans are unable to discern or receive any Truth from God until they are born again. It is impossible for God's word to make an impact on the general population because reprobates are blind to it. 

Finally, in the Calvinist systematic it is only "Irresistible Grace" and the Holy Spirit which brings transformation.

I am guessing a Calvinist would simply claim these two verses as true but limited to the Elect. 

Not applicable to any of the non-elect. 

And that is one of the many shortcomings of Calvinism - God's work happens only among a minority of humanity. He has a very narrow scope of influence. (Except for determining absolutely everything that happens to everybody everywhere!)