Time in the Garden

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

In Hosea 10 the prophet is expaining not simply how God is upset at Israel's disobdeience once again, but in this verse God is clear: seek the Lord!

When things become challenging and especially when we find ourselves straying from God, it is not wise to run. It is always best to seek after God in humbleness and seek His mercy. At times we need to change the way we are doing things (break up unplowed ground)ndlGod and just fall at His feet pleading for mercy! God cherishes and broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17)from His children.

God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(Galatians 6:7-8)

In this time of digging in our gardens and the weeding we find ourselves engaged in, let's not forget our spiritual gardens. What we plant, will eventually grow. Seeds sown among weeds will not grow well or be choked out. Soil not carefully tilled will not result in the best fruit. The farmer (or home gardener) spends quality hours getting on his hands and knees doing all he can to be sure good fruit is produced in time. Though the plants thrive for sun, many times, the rain is desperately needed.

Have we been on our knees lately with the Gardner ofour soil? Do we cherish the rainy days as much as the sunny ones? Let us allow the Master to work in our gardens a bit more and give Him control of the plow!