December 22, 2008
A part of this passage states, “The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth like flowers blooming in a garden.” Flowers or crops growing in a garden are a delight to the eye; the crowning glory of the gardener!
The Lord has promised us justice and that praise will be rising like the lilies and daffodils, or corn and wheat, from our gardens. But you know, those lilies and daffodils just don’t happen by themselves. They are the result of the loving care of a devoted gardener; a gardener who pulls out rocks and harmful weeds from where his precious bulbs and seeds are growing. A faithful gardener will be out there tending his garden on those days when he or she would really rather be inside with a hot cup of coffee, wrapped up in a warm shawl, or sipping a cool glass of lemonade instead of sweating in the sun.
Do you really think those farmers always love being out there in the fields on their tractors plowing and fertilizing their crops? They rise early and work until late because they know and believe the promises of our Lord are true.
Discipline is the tool the Lord has given us to prepare our gardens and fields; our homes and families. Discipline is a muscle we need to exercise. Discipline to study God’s word, to be kind to the unlovely, to try once again, when we are weary. Then we can revel in the glory of the beautiful lilies and daffodils or fields of corn or wheat!! ~ For who is the Master Gardener?
None other than Jesus!
“I celebrate and shout because of my Lord God! ….” (paraphrased.)
Barbara Repenning
