Press on. Nothing the word can take the place of persistence. Talen will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession. Genesis 48:4 (KJV)
There are years in South Africa when locust swarm the land and eat the crops. They come in hordes, blocking out the sun. The crops are lost and a hard winter follows. The “years that the locusts eat” are feared and dreaded. But the year after the locusts, South Africa reaps it greatest crops, for the dead bodies of the locust serve as fertilizer for the new seed. And the locust year is restored as great crops swell the land.
This is a parable of our lives. There are seasons of deep distress and afflictions that sometimes eat all the usefulness of our lives away. Yet, the promise is that God will restore those locust years if we endure. We will reap if we faint not. Although now we do not know all the “whys,” we can be assured our times are in His hands.
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John 5:4 (KJV)
If God promised His servants an unbroken run of prosperity, there would be many counterfeit Christians. Don’t be surprised at famine….it is permitted to root you deeper just as a whirlwind makes the tree grapple deeper roots into soil.
This is about growing deeper roots and not the fruits this season. Accept where you are will help with the negative thoughts and emotions that come. Praise God for how the roots are growing and know that this time will be beneficial.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Prodigal: I just wanted to share how sweet you are with a sweet treat.
Me: Let me share something else that is sweet.
This is from the book Joy in Christ’s Presence by Charles Spurgeon
Gideon’s fleece was so full of dew that he could wring out the moisture. In the same manner, sometimes a verse of Scripture will be very full of meaning when the Holy Spirit visits His servants through its words. This statement of our Savior to His disciples has been to me like bread dipped in honey, and I do not doubt that it will prove equally as sweet to you, as well.
Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; Nehemiah 9:7 (KJV)