The Weeds Are Coming
The Weeds are coming! That is one predictable element in the profession of farming. Being a lifelong farmer, I have tried to predict the weather, commodity prices, or maybe even the best variety of corn to plant. However, knowing that the weeds will come is the only prediction I can take to the bank. No matter what crop I plant, or however dry it may be, the weeds come. For instance, when you see a golden field of wheat in the plains of Nebraska in June or July, that is the end stage of a long battle with weeds.
Preparing The Field For Harvest
Starting in March or April the prior year, I start applying chemicals to control the weeds in the fields that are going to be planted the following September. All summer the weeds will come, and I kill them, they come again, and I kill them. Finally, just before planting the wheat, I apply a pre emergent chemical, controlling the weeds up until the golden waves of harvest time. Yes, a beautiful golden weed free field, but it took eighteen months of preparation.
Harvest
How well are you prepared for your “Harvest”? Is your field going to be clean or will it have an abundance of “weeds”? How about we look and see what the Apostle Paul says about preparing the way for harvest. He said to, “Walk in a manner worthy of your calling,” (Ephesians 4:1-6). For we cannot be certain of when that day might be; “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:42-44). So, I say prepare well in advance just as a farmer needs to prepare well in advance. King Solomon even agrees, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
Chemical Formula of Repentance & Forgiveness
We should look at sin like a weed, coming back and coming back and if you let them go, your “crop” will get choked out. No preparation at all and you get a field full of “weeds”. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, prepare yourselves well in advance and “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
OK, I put on the armor, but what chemical do I use kill the “weeds”? In 1 John 1:9 we find “But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Repent and ask for forgiveness and our loving God will forgive our sins. That is why Jesus went to the cross. That is the weed killer to use. Start using this preparation starting today, strengthening your faith, and enjoying the forgiveness Jesus freely gives as we work at keeping the weeds from taking over our field of faith. Getting ready for the “harvest” to come.
Dear Lord, help me control the weeds in my life so I can enjoy eternity when the day of harvest comes. Amen.
— Phil
If you like, check out these Daily Devotions
Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 4:1-6
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Matthew 24:42-44
No One Knows That Day and Hour
42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Proverbs 21:5
The King’s Heart
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Ephesians 6:10-17
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1 John 1:8-10
Walking in the Light
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.