Journal Entry ~ 07/08/19

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."  - Psalm 126:1-2

We so often get stuck in the middle, in between the moments God has blessed us in the past and the moments we confidently hope for His blessings in the future. This psalm is a soothing reminder when we shed tears during those in between moments, we can know that His blessings will come. Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!  - Psalm 126:5. We will reap with shouts of joy. 

But why do we get stuck?  Why is it so hard to sit in these in between moments when we know His promises? Because we eat the seeds instead of sowing them for harvest. 

I have always loved the analogy scripture uses for planting seeds and harvesting fruits. It’s a visual of patience for me.  8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:8-9. We will reap what we sow, but it will take time, just as the crops take time. We are called to be patient and wait on God’s timing, just as the farmers must wait on their crops. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. - James 5:7

So when I was drawn back to the Parable of the Sower story in Luke 8 in my study of Psalm 126, it was like visiting an old friend. But as always, God had a new revelation for me in the connection between these two scriptures. 

Why doesn’t the seed dropped on the ground produce a harvest? Why doesn’t the Word planted in our hearts bear fruit? Because it is snatched away by the devil, or because we fall away when tested, or because we are distracted by the cares of the world. We read His Word, and we know His promises, yet so many of us continue to struggle with fear and anxiety. We struggle to believe His Word is true. We struggle to believe God is good, and that He is for us. 

Why?  We eat the seed instead of planting it for harvest. We fall for the schemes of the devil, we panic in a trial, and we listen to the world. We can sit through good teaching and even shed a tear in agreement, we can nod our head with conviction in our daily time with Him, but we don’t see a change in our behavior and we grow frustrated. Why?  Because we don’t apply His Word to our lives. We don’t do the hard work of making the changes in our reality that He commands and so we remain in bondage to our struggles. 

So many women I counsel struggle with this reality - they stay stuck in the middle. They never move to the freedom that exists in the confidence found in the second half of Psalm 126. They know scripture - they can recite it to me. They know what they should be doing, and yet they tell me they’re still struggling with their anxiety, praying daily and waiting for God to take it away. They look at the freedom that others have found and think they just must be stronger - or better - people. 

They’re not. Those stronger and better people simply planted the seeds for harvest. Stop eating the seed.  Stop nodding your head in agreement, then continue in the same behavior, and start doing the hard work of applying His Word to your life. Freedom waits for you to plant the seeds. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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