But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:39, ESV)
Driving down the highway, I see field after field of dried up corn and brittle stalks of soybeans. I know if we pull over, and I walk into the field and reach out to grab the leaves, they would crunch and crumble in my hands. To someone unfamiliar with agriculture, it might even seem as if those fields lay in ruin; the only option to replant for next year. They look nothing like the picturesque, never-ending rows of green seen in farm landscapes. To an outsider, those brown, dry, ugly crops seem worthless, left for destruction.
But the farmer knows harvest is near. Those dry, ugly, seemingly worthless stalks have preserved the most important part of the crop. The combines will soon roll through the field, and as the dust flies, chaff will be separated from seed, and trucks will be filled with grain. The lifeless-looking fields will yield a life-sustaining harvest.
We, too, go through seasons when our lives feel dry and brittle.
An outsider staring at the ugliness invading our lives might worry that there is nothing left for us. Illness, death, shattered relationships, discontentment, difficult situations at work, financial stress—all these things can leave us feeling dried up, ruined, worthless, destined for destruction.
But the Creator of life looks upon us with different eyes. Like the farmer, He knows harvest is coming.
His Word encourages us not to shrink back, give up, or surrender to destruction, but instead to remain strong in our faith and trust He has a plan even in the ugliest of circumstances. “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (Hebrews 10:39, ESV).
Like fields awaiting harvest, we wait as God works.
Though we look out and see row after row of dry, brittle circumstances, we trust He has a harvest planned. Plans to redeem. Plans to brush away the chaff and recover the grain. Plans to use the ugly in a beautiful and purposeful way. Plans to harvest the faith sown in our hearts.
If you are in a season of difficulty, don’t shrink back, don’t give up on our Lord. Dig into the rich soil of His Word and let it work in your heart. Read about how time and time again, He has faithfully fulfilled His promises. Read about how much He loves you and how He has good planned for you. Allow His Spirit to remind you that though the field looks dry and worthless, He is at work.
The harvest is near.
Lord,
I thank You for the work You have done in my life during difficult seasons. Lord, only You could take the ugliness and use it for something beautiful. Help me never to forget what You’ve done. Lord, I lift up those who are in a season of difficulty right now. Father, I pray Your Spirit would refresh their souls, and they would not shrink back, but their faith would be preserved and strengthened. Thank You for the way You work. Thank You for Your involvement in our lives. Thank You for Your love.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Want more encouragement? Open up your Bible and let the Lord speak to your soul. Start with these verses:
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