Ezekiel 36
Cultivate and Sow!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Saturday, July 13.
Ed Bell is a local Indiana farmer who sees his chosen occupation as a metaphor for Christian ministry – to cultivate the soil and plant good seed, trusting God with the coming harvest. Farmer Ed’s perspective on life has positively influenced me over the fifteen years we have cultivated the soil and planted good seed together in his beloved Indiana community. I am thankful to live amongst a community that understands farming because the Bible is full of agricultural imagery, including God’s promise to Israel in Ezekiel 36:9, ‘For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown.” God explained His promise in verses 34-36:
“The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. They will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate; I, the Lord, have spoken and will do it.”
While this promise was given to the Jewish exiles in Babylonian captivity, after the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the Judean countryside, the principle can be applied beyond the return and redemption of the Promised Land. As Christians, our promise is not for a homeland defined by borders because our citizenship is in Heaven and the whole world is our farm. While we are to be loyal citizens to our respective nations, and work for the welfare of our local communities, our true occupation is to cultivate the soil of hearts and sow the good seed of God’s Word for the salvation of souls (Matthew 13:1-43).
Seize the moment and work hard as a faithful farmer – cultivate the soil of hearts and sow good seed with care and concern for the welfare of your community!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.