Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Matthew 13:8 "Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
MAKE MY HEART GOOD GROUND
In this parable Jesus preached from the boat that day, He spoke of a farmer who planted seed in his field which fell on four kinds of soil. He later explained the parable's meaning, that He was illustrating conditions found among people when the seed of the Word is sown in their hearts. Some allow the devil right away to take away the Word so that it can find no entrance in their heart nor make an impact on their life. Some are enthusiastic about the Word initially but when troubles come because of the Word, their faith gets scorched (their commitment to Jesus being superficial, their faith shallow). Others believe for a time but their faith too never arrives at the point of thriving. It gets choked by life's worries and the bewitching influence of worldly riches.
Still others hear the Word with honest and good hearts. They trust its message ("God's Son gave His life for me!"). They rejoice in it ("He atoned for my sins! How blessed I am!"). They find comfort in it ("He's with me each day to guide and bless!"). They're prompted by the Spirit to produce faith-fruits in love for Him who loved them first ("What can I do for You, Lord, to show my appreciation?").
May we ever be among those who hear the Word in this manner. Let's petition God to bless with:
A faith that will not shrink Though pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe;
That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chastening rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God;
A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.
... and that produces rich fruits to the praise of Christ. (See Galatians 5:22-24 for beautiful examples.)
