Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This Week’s Devotional Topic
FARMERS AND RANCHERS
My heart goes out to those who are the farmers and ranchers who invest their lives to meet the financial needs of their families while providing food for our country. We are able to shop at grocery stores whose shelves are filled with vegetables and meats of all kinds. Indeed, we have a lot to be thankful for.
These job descriptions include the first full time job described in the Bible.
Genesis 3:17-19 And to the man he (the LORD) said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
And in Genesis 4 we see that Cain “cultivated the ground” working as a farmer. And Abel became a shepherd.
Please join me, praying a blessing upon all those involved in husbandry. These folks are working in the cultivation or production of plants or animals: agriculture…farmers and/or ranchers.
All those working in these careers depend upon the rain that God provides. In times of drought, God will send the rain, in the fulness of His time. Here’s an example of a drought that lasted 3 years.
I Kings 18:1,2 Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. Meanwhile the famine had become very severe in Samaria.
I Kings 18:41-45 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.” Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’” And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm,
There are many spiritual applications for farming and ranching. Here are just a few:
John 4:35-38 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”
I Corinthians 3:6-8 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
II Corinthians 9:6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
If you are involved in farming and/or ranching, please be encouraged. God is faithful. Have faith, trust Him to provide all your needs. God forgive us for taking these important folks for granted. Forgive us for taking YOU for granted. We thank you and praise You for blessing this nation with the hard-working men and women who bless us with the literal fruit of their labor. Amen.
This week’s Scripture:
I Kings 18:1-45; Genesis 3:17-19; John 4:35-38; I Corinthians 3:6-8 and II Corinthians 9:6
See this week’s playlist
