Verse of the Day 6/10

Through the Bible - 2 Chronicles 34-36, John 19:17-42

 

Good morning,

Next to our home in Huntley Illinois stood a farm field.  One year the farmer would grow beans and the next year it would be corn.  I remember driving by the corn fields in Illinois this time of year and seeing the corn growing, you could see the change day by day.  In the midwest, you would be familiar with the saying "knee high by the fourth of July" in reference to the corn crop.  You would expect and anticipate the growth.  Shouldn't it be the same with us as Christians?

 

Today's verse comes from Mark chapter 4:

Mark 4:28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.     NKJV

Corn and other crops don't remain the same.  They seem to grow in stages, each one has a purpose and can be beautiful in it's own right.  God provides what the plant needs for the growth.

 

John Newton wrote,:

"The Lord compares the usual method of growth in grace--to the growth of grain, which is perfected by a slow and almost imperceptible progress.

The seed is hidden for a time in the soil; and, when it appears, it passes through a succession of changes--the blade, the stalk, and lastly the ripe grain.

And it is brought forward amidst a variety of weather: the dew, the frost, the wind, the rain, the sun--all concur to advance its maturity, though some of these agents are contrary to each other; and some of them, perhaps, seem to threaten the life of the plant! Yet, when the season of harvest returns--the grain is found ready for the sickle!

Just so is God's work of grace in the soul. Its beginnings are small, its growth for the most part slow, and, to our apprehensions, imperceptible and often precarious.

But there is this difference in the comparison: frosts and blights, drought or floods, may possibly disappoint the gardener's hopes. But the great Gardener of the soul--will not, and cannot be disappointed. What He sows--shall flourish in defiance of all opposition! And, if at times it seems to wither--He can and He will revive it!

For the most part, God's people are exercised with sharp trials and temptations; for it is necessary they should learn not only what He can do for them--but how little they can do without Him! Therefore He teaches them not all at once--but by degrees, as they are able to bear it."

Our growth as a Christian will go through stages.  All these things are designed to bring us to maturity, in Christ.  There will be times or seasons of worry, of doubt (today's New Testament reading deals with Thomas), but through it all "God causes all things to grow."  I'm reminded of the Steve Green song by that title.

 

God causes all things to grow,

Through every season you know,

He will guard the life that He's planted in the soul,

So when we feel the cold winds blow,

We'll hold to what we know,

God causes all things to grow.

 

Phil 1: 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.   NLT

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Mark 4:26-30

 

The Parable of the Growing Seed

 

26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,  27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.  28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.  29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

 

NKJV