The Daniel Fast Day 9 Devotional 10/1/13

If You Have a Need, Plant and Seed!

 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Galatians 6:7

A while back I was talking with a new believer who is under some heavy financial pressures. He was filled with worry and fear and just kept shaking his head saying, "This is so hard. It's just so hard." We had a good conversation and I was able to encourage him . . . but when I asked him about tithing, his immediate response was, "Oh, I don't even want to go there. I am too broke. I can't even think about that right now."

He was so emphatic, that I didn't press it. Plus, he was in conversations with his pastor about his new found faith and his giving. I didn't want to get in the way of any of that . . .

But I did give him one picture for him to think about, "Imagine Farmer Bill standing at the edge of his 30 acre field. He's looking up to the sky and once again lamenting to God, "Why don't you make this crop grow. I have been waiting and waiting. I have been pleading with you. But the only thing growing in this field is weeds!"

Suddenly the clouds begin to rumble and Bill knows it's the voice of the Lord, "Hey Bill, I've been patient, too. When are you going to plant the seed?"

Planting seed isn't just about money . . . although God's commandments are very clear about tithing. But we also need to look at every area of need and see if we're like Farmer Bill. Maybe you're frustrated with your spouse because you're not getting the kind of attention you want . . . check out your seed. Perhaps you feel lonely and don't' want to sit at home another weekend with nothing to do . . . check out your seed. Or possibly you are wondering why you don't have the kind of deep and intimate spiritual life you want . . . check out your seed.

 

God is clear on this subject, and He says He will not be mocked. Whatever we sow, we will also reap. That works both ways. We can be planting seeds of love and kindness. Or we can plant seeds of strife and contention. We can plant seeds of trust and faith or we can plant seeds of worry and fear.

 

The next time you get ready to present a request to the Lord, first make sure you have good seed in the ground. Don't be like Farmer Bill . . . but instead be like the farmers who have such abundance that they have to sell it, store it and give it away!

Be blessed.

 

(From Daniel-Fast.com by Susan Gregory- Author, Speaker, Christian Life Coach)