Farm Progress

Higher Ground: As this farmer learned, we only need to ask God to provide the spiritual rain we need.

July 31, 2017

2 Min Read

Several times over, the Bible says that the just shall live by faith. I’ve often wondered why the Holy Spirit didn’t specify that the farmer shall live by faith.

Looking back over my life, I’ve had to trust God through all sorts of situations. There was nothing else I could do. I’m sure you’ve had them, too.

A couple of “for instances”: When our milk cooperative went bankrupt, I didn’t get paid for a month’s worth of milk. I needed to trust God that he would see us through — and he did.

But the weather is what stretched my faith the most. You and I have had fields of corn that got off to a great start. We’ve even breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for it. Then the heavens shut up. Rains didn’t come and the leaves curled. What started with so much promise ended up being useless. There were times I simply cried out: “Lord, we need rain! Would you send it, please!”

Soak up the ‘living water’
Remember when you were about to give up? Then it happened. You smelled it in the air. The skies darkened, the heavens opened up and that withering corn regained its strength. That shouldn’t surprise us.

The author of Hebrews 6:7 says: “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled receives a blessing from God.”

The same is true for those open to God’s wisdom. We don’t have to wonder if God will provide the spiritual rain (knowledge) we need. It’s available 24/7.

Jesus spoke of the “living water” that satisfies. Our minds must be like that ground — to store up that rainfall so we can be blessed. God’s word can be that refreshing water that helps us not only survive, but also thrive.

Jim Witter,
Shippensburg, Pa.

Witter is part of the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Farmers International. For more about FCFI, visit fcfi.org.

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