God the Farmer
June 2, 2008
Isaiah 28:24 "When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing the soil?"
There is a vegetable garden in my backyard that we started last year. Unsatisfied with the previous results in produce, we decided to put a little extra effort into the ground this season. Starting at the end of last year, we added compost to the soil so it would break down over the winter months. As soon as spring hit we began further preparing the soil for this year's bumper crop. I got the biggest tiller I could find to break up the hard Missouri soil. The sun was hot that day, but I persevered and spent hours tilling up the soil, adding in organic matter and the recommended fertilizers. My zero years of agricultural experience coupled with no know-how, should produce interesting results from this city boy. Yes sir, my 20 feet of dirty work should make enough vegetation for a few tossed salads this year.
God, on the other hand, is truly likened to a farmer, likened to a farmer's character, that is. There is a cyclical nature to a farmer's work: tilling, planting, watering, harvesting. This is the same with the Lord's work in our lives. This is a pattern from start to finish, a process. The farmer does not till the ground forever but realizes that his efforts are adequate and needs to plant the seed. The farmer then makes sure that the seed is cared for and watered. The farmer also waits until the perfect time and executes the harvest.
This is how God works in our lives. If we feel that God is at work in us, tilling the ground, then we should be prepared to eventually allow Him to plant the seed. God will move us through the pattern of His process in our lives and our current situation will not last forever. Whatever step of the process you are in will not last. Be prepared to move on to the next step. In fact, the Bible says that God’s character is intent on moving us through the process. So, if you feel as if your current situation may never end, rejoice in knowing that God is at work and has a purpose for the activity that He is taking you through. The farmer’s actions are purposeful and so are God’s. It would be silly if God never planted a seed after preparing the ground or if I went to check on my own garden every week and decided to till the soil again. There would be no purpose. A farmer's character is intent on a harvest and so is God.
The harvest is coming, I promise. Be prepared for some amazing produce, far better than what our own agricultural skills could do.
1. Feel like God will be tilling the soil forever?
2. Are you prepared for Him to plant the seed or are you ready for the harvest?
There is a vegetable garden in my backyard that we started last year. Unsatisfied with the previous results in produce, we decided to put a little extra effort into the ground this season. Starting at the end of last year, we added compost to the soil so it would break down over the winter months. As soon as spring hit we began further preparing the soil for this year's bumper crop. I got the biggest tiller I could find to break up the hard Missouri soil. The sun was hot that day, but I persevered and spent hours tilling up the soil, adding in organic matter and the recommended fertilizers. My zero years of agricultural experience coupled with no know-how, should produce interesting results from this city boy. Yes sir, my 20 feet of dirty work should make enough vegetation for a few tossed salads this year.
God, on the other hand, is truly likened to a farmer, likened to a farmer's character, that is. There is a cyclical nature to a farmer's work: tilling, planting, watering, harvesting. This is the same with the Lord's work in our lives. This is a pattern from start to finish, a process. The farmer does not till the ground forever but realizes that his efforts are adequate and needs to plant the seed. The farmer then makes sure that the seed is cared for and watered. The farmer also waits until the perfect time and executes the harvest.
This is how God works in our lives. If we feel that God is at work in us, tilling the ground, then we should be prepared to eventually allow Him to plant the seed. God will move us through the pattern of His process in our lives and our current situation will not last forever. Whatever step of the process you are in will not last. Be prepared to move on to the next step. In fact, the Bible says that God’s character is intent on moving us through the process. So, if you feel as if your current situation may never end, rejoice in knowing that God is at work and has a purpose for the activity that He is taking you through. The farmer’s actions are purposeful and so are God’s. It would be silly if God never planted a seed after preparing the ground or if I went to check on my own garden every week and decided to till the soil again. There would be no purpose. A farmer's character is intent on a harvest and so is God.
The harvest is coming, I promise. Be prepared for some amazing produce, far better than what our own agricultural skills could do.
1. Feel like God will be tilling the soil forever?
2. Are you prepared for Him to plant the seed or are you ready for the harvest?
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