Wet or Dry?
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the heart, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led by peace . . ." (Isaiah 55:10-12a).In his book, The Art of Divine Contentment, Thomas Watson writes, "... the word must not fall only as dew that wets the leaf but also as rain that soaks to the root and makes it bear fruit." We need to be sponges that soak up God's word and obey His will. However, our free will gives us the option to accept or reject it.He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth (Psalm 72:6).
I'm afraid too many Christians use an umbrella to deflect the rain from heaven. They don't mind to get a little damp now and then, but they don't want to become too wet. Practicing a little religion is fine, but there's no need to get carried away with it. Yet, they want to be carried away to heaven when their life is over.Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down rightness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it (Isaiah 45:8).
Others accept a little more. The dew wets them, and thereby they receive a little refreshing but not enough to cause them to grow much. They remain stunted in their faith. Then there are those who want all the nourishing rain God will send their way. They pray to be soaked through and through to their roots so that they can produce much fruit for the Lord.Where do you fit? As long as you're alive, it's not too late to make any needed changes.______________________