Nothing Like Good Soil
February 19th, 2006
Rudy Herr
“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matt. 13:23
Every spring when I plant my garden of vegetables I am reminded of the value of good soil for planting. It’s very discouraging to spend lots of time planting and get little reward for your labor. It must be similar for God who has gone to great lengths to give us his Word, yet finds so many hearts unreceptive and distracted from the greatest news.
On the one hand, you have people who make no response at all. They are oblivious to the life-giving message. Jesus said they are like seeds sown on the path or roadside. The seed is never drawn into the heart of the soil because it is hard and trampled down. Why is it so hard? - from people walking on it. Be careful for those who don’t care much about your heart.
Then there are those who show early signs of potential. They sprout up quickly but soon wilt away with the first days of hot sun. The soil is shallow and the plants don’t have much of a root system to gather nourishment. These people receive the message with great fanfare but their lives are never transformed by it because they really have no faith.
Lord, please help me to be the kind of soil that embraces the seed of your Word and produces much fruit. Help me to welcome the rake from your hand to keep the soil of my heart tender and gentle. Bring enough trials my way to keep me dependent on you, the fertile soil of a teachable and humble heart. Thus, producing a fruitful harvest that will bring glory to your name.
February 20th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Record: Gen 39:21 - But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
Gen 40:14 - [Joseph said to the cupbearer] But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.
Reflect: The cupbearer forgot about Joseph. Even though people of this world can treat us harshly and be unkind to us – even plot evil against us – God shows us kindness. God was with Joseph and showed him kindness while he was in prison.
I wonder if there were times in prison when Joseph didn’t think God was with him, when he thought “though I do what is right in God’s eyes, I am still persecuted and left in jail – forgotten. It isn’t fair!” Two years is a long time to wait on the Lord especially in prison.
Respond: There are many times in my life were I have had to wait on the Lord in the midst of unfair persecution. During those times, I have to admit that I questioned, I doubted. In my humanness, I want God to vindicate me right away. Joseph’s life reminds me that just because God doesn’t swoop down like Superman and rescue me quickly, doesn’t mean he has left me or is not in control. In the midst, God shows me kindness.
As I read the story of Joseph, I realize this action-packed adventure is over a long period of time. If I had to write one page of the big picture of the last 10 years of my life, it would be evident that God was with me and sheltered me in “the shadow of his wings” even though there were many moments (days, weeks, months) where I didn’t see him or feel his presence.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith and forgive me for my short memory. I am so quick to doubt, to cry out. I forget very fast what you have done in my life. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me, for being faithful when I am not. Help me to see the big picture and not get caught up in the drama of the moment. May I remember your kindness and realize I am always in the shadow of your wings.
Note: I wrote this in the midst of a small journaling group. It is such a blessing to hear other journal entries and to hear what passages spoke to their hearts. To spend time in discussion and to jump down different rabbit trails is fun, thought-provoking, and very spiritually encouraging. I highly recommend small groups!