Monday, December 2, 2013

Apples of Gold


Psalm 97:11 “Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.”


One of the things that God has been teaching me lately is that it’s not all about “now”. I know that we say, “Don’t focus on tomorrow because today has its own worries”, and that is true. Of course it’s true; Jesus Himself said it. But there is a balance between living in the present and having a firm, solid, real hope for tomorrow, for the future. You see there’s a difference between living in the present and living for the present.

Sometimes as life comes at us we have to plan ahead, look to our future and spend time concerning ourselves for the things that are to come. For example: If we never thought about the future we wouldn’t have first aid kits in our houses or food in our refrigerators for more than a day or winter coats stored away in summertime. These things are reasonable preparations for the future. This verse reminds us that God also has made preparations for the future.

When we are going through a dark or unfruitful time in our lives, when looking at the, seemingly empty, fields around us yields no comfort against our anxieties for the future we have a sure hope through God’s Word that He has sown good seed in us and that seed will grow into light and gladness for our souls. We can find rest in the fact that under the surface the germination of our joy has already begun; the beginnings of Jesus Himself, growing in and through us, setting down a network of strong roots that cannot be removed even if the whole vine be cut off by trial and tribulation, is taking place. How amazing! What peace we have in knowing that, regardless of what we see on the surface, life dwells within us and that life will break forth with light and gladness in due season. My Friends, that is what we live for. That hope for our future is what makes it possible to be strong and filled with courage in the present. That is the promise of God.


Yes and Amen!