August 14, 2020
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12
It’s monsoon season in the southwest, which usually means time to begin preparing the garden and yard for growing season. The rain softens the ground and makes it easy for me to dig and turn in some fresh soil. However, this rainy season has had a very slow start. I’ve wondered if I should even start, or wait until the first rain comes and the soil softens, even if it will be harder than usual. And there is no rain in the forecast.
I think this is the same with life right now. It’s so much harder to bring the Lord into others’ lives. Interacting with people on a daily basis makes it easy for us to set ourselves up to plant a seed of the Word into others hearts. Our current distancing makes the planting much harder. Fear, doubt, and uncertain times create hardness and we have to work harder to break through. I believe we just need to plow a bit harder and deeper, so the roots can take hold.
Through Hosea, the Lord tells the people to prepare the ground, seek the Lord, and the rain of righteousness will be upon them, meaning to have faith and keep working hard. Then in Matthew 13:5-23 the Lord tells the Parable of the Sower, explaining that seeds won’t always grow, but if we keep scattering them the ones that take hold will reap rewards.
I pray that the Lord continues to speak to me and show me ways to connect with others and spread His word. Until the rain arrives, I pray that you will also continue to plow deep, pray hard, and prepare for rain. It will come.
Trina Wise