Today's short thoughts come from a passage of scripture that has always seemed somewhat mysterious to me. In Hebrew's 6:7-8 we read, "For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it also is tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned."
I would like to suggest that we look at today's passage as if the Hebrew writer was inspired to teach through a parable. Please bear with me as I try to explain. Consider the "ground" that he speaks of. Could it not be seen as a picture of you and I? In our new birth, have we not been fashioned in such a way as to consume or "drink the rain" if you will, that is God's word of truth? Does this "rain" not fall from above, where "every good thing given and every perfect gift" is from? Does He not "till" us by His word that is "sharper than any two-edged sword", cultivating us to be fruit bearers for Him? Is not the intended result that we be "useful for service", useful to the body of Christ and to the ministry of reconciliation, the proclamation of the gospel? And do not His children receive a blessing from Him when they are used by Him in His service?
Perhaps we also see a glimpse of the working of the Refiner's fire. Is not this the "fire" which God uses to burn away, or rid us of the things which can prevent the growth of useful "vegetation"? The consumption by fire, of the thorns and the thistles of our lives helps in preparing a fertile ground wherein the Spirit might bring forth His fruit. May we not fear the fire of His word as we are reminded that He desires that we share in His holiness. Let us drink in the rain of His precious word and allow Him to till the soil of our hearts and minds to bring forth that which is useful for service. And may we rejoice in the privilege and blessing of serving Him!
I would like to suggest that we look at today's passage as if the Hebrew writer was inspired to teach through a parable. Please bear with me as I try to explain. Consider the "ground" that he speaks of. Could it not be seen as a picture of you and I? In our new birth, have we not been fashioned in such a way as to consume or "drink the rain" if you will, that is God's word of truth? Does this "rain" not fall from above, where "every good thing given and every perfect gift" is from? Does He not "till" us by His word that is "sharper than any two-edged sword", cultivating us to be fruit bearers for Him? Is not the intended result that we be "useful for service", useful to the body of Christ and to the ministry of reconciliation, the proclamation of the gospel? And do not His children receive a blessing from Him when they are used by Him in His service?
Perhaps we also see a glimpse of the working of the Refiner's fire. Is not this the "fire" which God uses to burn away, or rid us of the things which can prevent the growth of useful "vegetation"? The consumption by fire, of the thorns and the thistles of our lives helps in preparing a fertile ground wherein the Spirit might bring forth His fruit. May we not fear the fire of His word as we are reminded that He desires that we share in His holiness. Let us drink in the rain of His precious word and allow Him to till the soil of our hearts and minds to bring forth that which is useful for service. And may we rejoice in the privilege and blessing of serving Him!
No comments:
Post a Comment