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Cast the Seed

Isaiah is a book about judgment, not only to God’s own people but to all those countries around them. 
But even in judgment, Isaiah shares hope. He tells by Israel’s repentance, judgment will come. But not now.

Through it all, God’s holiness is shown. God does not let the wicked rule forever.
In fact, He uses the wicked for His own good.
He used both Assyria and Babylon to judge His people.
Then God used these wicked rulers to bring His people back to their land, to rebuild the temple and their wall and return to His blessing.

After all this judgment, God tells Isaiah, “Comfort my people.” Isaiah 40:1.
These words weren’t spoken to them earlier when they were ignoring God and doing their own thing.
But now they are a broken people, with nothing but a land that needs work. 
He says, “Comfort.”

Notice in verse 2 when God brings comfort.
It’s not when she’s having a great time in her sin.
It’s not when she is ignoring God.
But it’s when “her welfare has ended” and “her iniquity has been removed.

We have been told not to correct our children but tell them what they’ve done well.
Ignore the bad. Encourage the good. And that will make them "good kids."
But God corrects first, then comforts.
Repentance first, before restoration.
Sometimes, as moms, we feel that's all we do. We correct. Correct. Correct. 
I went years when I felt I had my rod of correction in my back pocket or in my hand at all times.
I felt that was all I did.
The temptation is to look over the wrong.
But that's not God's way.

The child acknowledges his wrong.
Not because he was caught, but because he should do better.

What does God give when His people are broken?
Comfort.
There isn't comfort when they are still doing wrong.
Comfort only comes after repentance.
They must acknowledge their wrong and ask forgiveness.
Then restoration is possible.

His Spirit comes to “clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness, make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3.
John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

“A voice says, ‘Call out.’ Then he answered, ‘What shall I call out?’”v 6

Has God told you to call out, but you don't know what to say?
Listen. And speak.
Maybe it's to that neighbor who needs some cookies or a meal.
Maybe it's just a smile in greeting.
Maybe they just need help loading their groceries in their car.

“All flesh is grass and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.”
v 6b-7

We had a gorgeous spring this year. Flowers that normally do not bloom were out in masses.
Their colors swepted over the hills to bring an added glory.
But even as I relished their beauty, I knew they would be gone when summer’s heat came.
They are here for just a short time.

Do you know people like that?
You meet them. You share a bit of what God is doing in your life. You give a bit of counsel.
Then they are gone.
You never see them again.
You never know what happens to them.
Like grass.
Here today.
Gone tomorrow.

What did you share with them that will last?
Verse 8 tells us. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” 
That seed of truth can fall on good ground.
It soaks up water. The seed expands.
It sends out roots and finds strength.
It grows. 

Throw the seed.
You don’t make it grow. You just throw the seed.
Sometimes, that seed tells of judgment. Because sin will be judged. And there is no true comfort before repentance.
But when the person is broken and repenting, there is comfort.

Isaiah gave both.
We should too.
Cast the seed.
And watch God grow it.


Displaying 1 comment

Another great reminder about casting seed wherever we are, with whoever we are, no matter whether for a short time or long time. Actually, I have found through many years that sometimes a small kindness done even by a stranger during a time of stress is remembered forever. May we also be conscious of passing this kindness on.

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

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Author of Biblical fiction, married to my best friend, and challenged by eight sons’ growing pains as I write about what matters.