"Find the Lord before you need Him."
~ Randy Travis, from Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle
Scorch of Heat
"Some [seed] fell on stony ground ... and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away."
~ Mark 4:5-6 (NKJV)
"Find the Lord before you need Him" could easily be read as no more than "get converted to Jesus before you die, lest you face Hell's fire."
Scorch of heat shows up way before you die, as does some form of death.
It might be the death of a dream, of a job, of health. It might be the death of a relationship or loved one. Death travels with sin, and you can plan to encounter the two often in this world. When they arrive, plan on a forecast of heat.
"But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away."
~ Luke 8:13 (NKJV)
Those who declare faith in Jesus but then fail to build their lives upon Him will be like plants without deep roots. They may look good for a short time. But when scorching heat comes, they quickly wither.
We are a pampered people with little tolerance for heat. (Anyone remember the days when air conditioning was an option on cars rather than standard equipment?) Pain need not be tolerated when an array of medication is available. Health care is expected to remedy any affliction. No money? Buy now with no payments until you've forgotten they're due. Has disaster struck? Sue someone or elect new politicians. Relationship difficulty? Move on.
Or so says the culture.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes ..."
~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)
The person who has learned to trust in the Lord in the everyday difficulties will know how to find Him when facing life's deaths, when true heat arrives.
And you can plan that scorching heat will come, as surely as summer does.
Refiner, help us to trust Your fire. Help us to cooperate with Your work of testing us, refining us, proving us, assured that You will not burn us. Put words of praise in our mouths at all times.
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
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Amen sis, and praise God for walking in the fire with us.
ReplyDeleteI always find wisdom and encouragement when I come here. Thanks, Anne.
ReplyDeleteI double that. I think as much as I search his word for reassurance, I also need to feel that from the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThe parable of the seeds is one of the most convicting ones in the Bible for me. And I love, absolutely love that Jeremiah verse.
ReplyDeleteHope your day is full of blessings.
~ Wendy
As always, Anne, you speak with conviction. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteGod has gifted you with such insights, Anne. So thankful for you.
ReplyDeleteAs I read that Randy Travis quote, my thought immediately was this: "I'm *always* in need of a Savior. And I always will be."
Even when things look good, we need God. And the closer I grow to Him -- and the more my faith builds -- the more aware I become of my deep need for Him in my life, and the deep depravity of my own self.
Bless you, sister.
...speaking of a timely post, this post could not have come at a better time then right now. physically, i thrive during the summer. but mentally or spiritually i wither. summer is my absolute worst season of the year to contend with. woke up in this morning in a nightmare of old you might say. ...been gasping, taking deep breaths of air and thinking of sinning deliberately. then decided i'd better write to my Friend this morning if nothing else. came online and figured, "well, let's check out BHB this morning first and see if there's anything new." HE had something prepared for me...here. i won't be taking that detour...
ReplyDeletethank you Anne
PRAISE ADONAI !!!
What a great ... and timely post. The AC at work is down and everyone is complaining. But your post is a great antidote that I plan on sharing with others. We need a little discomfort in our lives to remind us of the great blessings we have.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I thought when I read "find Him before you need Him" --I've always needed Him. My recognition of that need hasn't always been clear, but it doesn't change the truth of my desperate need and His lavish grace. Thanks Anne.
ReplyDeleteI love where God lead your mind when you thought of "summer." This is a really great post.
ReplyDeleteMakes me feel guilty for the thoughts that came when I thought of summer and put them into a post. Please don't visit my blog today. Thanks :)
Wonderful post and a beautiful prayer. "help us to trust Your fire"
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is Amen!
Amen! These are wonderful thoughts, my friend. The verses are perfect. Thanks, Anne.
ReplyDeleteTestimony to the reason Fire was created.
ReplyDeleteA good reminder for all Christians as we grow more independent and in my country, more affluent!
ReplyDeleteTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Prov 3:5a)
Denise ~ I wasn't even thinking of Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego when I wrote this.
ReplyDeleteGlynn ~ Thank you for your kind comment. You're most welcome.
T ~ How good He is to continually reassure us in our insecurities—always with just the right word.
Wendy ~ I've heard it preached that this parable unlocks all the others. And Jeremiah? I think I identify with him more than any other prophet.
Fatha Frank ~ Conviction? I know I write from experience. It's the hardest but surest way to learn.
Jennifer ~ My deep depravity. It seems like the longer we walk with Him, the less we should have. Yet we're only made more aware of how gracious grace really is. I bless you also! : )
Bud ~ Praise Adonai indeed! Thank You, Lord, for using me. Thank You for blessing Bud.
David ~ How I wish I never complained—that discomfort was always a reason to remember blessings. I'm seriously working on that. I'm glad to know this was timely.
Jason ~ "... desperate need and lavish grace ..." *sigh* Yes! Thank you.
Duane ~ I planned to visit anyway, but when you say that, you know I popped right over. LOL
Karin ~ That's one of those prayers you HAVE to say with your eyes closed!
Bridget ~ Thank you for stopping in. Thank you for hosting.
Bible Lover ~ Blessings abound. We need only look, wherever. I believe that, and even in the Sudan, I'd be determined to find them.
Maureen ~
ReplyDeleteYour comment takes me aback. I'm a huge fan of fire. My wood stove is my favorite feature of my house, and I'd rather watch a fire than TV. You give me a new perspective which will give me pause to think for a very long time to come.