Isaiah 61:11b
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to
spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness . . . to spring forth.
Bible Reading
for a Year [bible]psalm106[/bible]; [bible]james3[/bible]; [bible]ezeki17-18[/bible]
One of my favorite children’s books is Frog And Toad
Together by Arnold Lobel. Frog had a garden that Toad admired, and he wanted
one too. So Frog told him: “It is very nice, but it was hard work.” When he
gave Toad some flower seeds, Toad quickly ran home and planted them.
“Now seeds,” said Toad, “start growing.” He tried very
hard to make his garden grow. He shouted at the seeds, read them long stories,
and sang songs to them—but they didn’t grow.
“What shall I do?” cried Toad. “Leave them alone,” Frog
said. “Let the sun shine on them, let the rain fall on them. Soon your seeds
will start to grow.” Then one day, little green plants appeared. “At last,”
shouted Toad, “my seeds have stopped being afraid to grow! But you were right,
Frog. It was very hard work.”
So many people think it’s very hard work to grow in
righteousness. We must spend time reading the Word, praying, and cultivating
our faith by being with other believers. But our progress in holiness is still
dependent on God. As He shines His face upon us and rains His love into our
lives, we will grow. Then righteousness will begin to “spring forth” (Isaiah
61:11). Don’t be discouraged if growth comes slowly. Soon you will have a
garden.
Spiritual growth
depends on the water of God’s Word and the sunshine of His love.