Good Soil
“The seed is God’s message. The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away. . . . The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But . . . their roots don’t go very deep. . . . They wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. . . . But the good soil represents . . . people who hear God’s message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:11-15
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Farmers scattering seed by hand were a familiar sight in Jesus’ time. The soil was rich for the most part, but there were thornbushes and fields full of stones. Travelers walked through the fields, beating down the ground and disturbing the seeds. Some seeds fell on thin soil that hid the stones underneath. Other seeds were blown into thornbushes. Neither were good environments for the new plants.
Jesus knew this. He wanted them—and us—to ask some probing questions: Are our hearts hard, like the paths worn down by travelers, so that it’s easy for Satan to steal away God’s truth after we hear it? Is the soil of our hearts thin and rocky so that the roots of God’s Word can’t go very deep? Or are we thorny-ground folks who are so worried and anxious about our lives that the seed never produces good fruit or grows into maturity? God’s Spirit is always ready and willing to make our hearts good soil so his Word can grow strong in us. Ask him to do that today.
Prayers:
LORD, I want to receive the seed of your message, apply it to my life, and be obedient to you. If my heart is hard, soften it with your love. If my roots aren’t deep, enrich the soil. Deliver me from being consumed with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world. Bring forth, by your Spirit, a great harvest in my life!
Quotes:
“I haven’t time!” Of course you have time! Take time, strangle some other interests, and make time to realize that the center of power in your life is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Deuteronomy 9:1–10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36 and Proverbs 12:2-3.
