Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. – Matthew 6:26-28
Have you ever considered or known any farmers? Their daily activities include waking up before sunrise, plowing their fields, planting seeds, tilling out weeds, fertilizing, and praying! After all his hard work, preparation, and maintenance, a farmer still needs God to send rain! A farmer’s work is essential for a good crop, but with NO RAIN––NO CROPS! A farmer knows that his hard work is essential, but nothing will matter without the Lord blessing him with rain!
Like farmers, we can work hard and wear ourselves out, but without God’s hand on our lives, we will not bear a crop! A man can learn two things from a farmer: First, a good farmer is diligent, hard-working, and doesn’t cut corners. Second, most importantly, he walks in faith! He knows that no matter what he does, he won’t have a crop without God’s blessings! His faith in his Heavenly Father is essential! He prays for God to bless his health and hands and for His favor to send much-needed rain. Too little or no rain will bring drought, and too much rain will wash the crop away! So, he asks the Lord for the right amount. Yep, this is not just a rain prayer. It’s a specific amount of prayer! His life is centered on seeking, honoring, and then waiting on the Lord!
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25
So, what happens when drought comes? He prays for patience and next year’s harvest! He knows that God controls everything, so when things don’t work out like he planned, he knows God is still in control! A farmer always knows that God is God, and he is man! As men, we are called to honor and trust Him––honor Him in what we do and trust Him for the outcome!
Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Deuteronomy 32:6
We are not called to figure out what He’s doing! (“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9). A farmer knows that both blessings and curses are held in His hand. (“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28). Blessings for those who seek Him and do His will! Curses for those who turn their back on Him and reject Him!
Why did He create us, and for what purpose? First and foremost, a farmer knows that God created him! Second, a farmer knows that God created him to bear fruit. Not some fruit––a lot of fruit. Fruit that will last! Therefore, he works hard, which is God’s will, but more importantly, he HONORS THE LORD! Why? Cause he knows that ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM THE LORD!
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
So, what can we learn from farmers? A LOT!
Have a great Thursday,
Stephen L. Thomas