Like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver is a word spoken at the proper time
Proverbs 25v11
Over the last two weeks we have considered a parable Jesus told known as the Parable of the Sower, but it is really the Parable of the Soils. It is all about the seed (God’s Word) which falls on four types of soils (human hearts). The first soil was hard ground and the second soil was rocky. Today we consider the soil that contained thorns as we read in Luke 8v7: “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants”. Weeds thrive in disturbed soil and those of you who have gardens will know how fast thorny weeds grow and take all the nutrients and water out of the ground hastening the demise of the good plants. Jesus explained the practical application in verse 14: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature”. This is the experience of many people especially in our affluent western society, but if you identify with this don’t despair because God has provided the spiritual herbicide to destroy the weeds of worry, riches and pleasures.
Firstly, how to deal with the thorn of worry: “Cast all your anxiety on him (Christ) because he cares for you”. (1 Peter 5v7). It doesn’t say GIVE your anxiety because then we will choose how much control to hand over – as there is always the concern that the Lord might not handle our worries to our satisfaction or in our way. But if we cast ALL our anxieties on Christ we cannot retrieve them – this is not being CARELESS, but CAREFREE!
Secondly, the thorns that choke us due to obsession with obtaining riches need the herbicide of contentment. Proverbs 30v8 says “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread”. The same request is mentioned in the Lord’s prayer which we often repeat, but do we mean it?
Finally, we need to beware of being choked by the thorns of pleasure. “I said to myself, come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself. And behold, it too was futility.” (Ecclesiastes 2v1). Even though pleasure is short-lived, we are persuaded that more pleasure will eventually bring happiness, but it is a futile exercise and all that happens is the thorns of pleasure choke us and leave us unfulfilled – elsewhere it is called a “chasing after the wind”. Remember: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Amen
Graeme Greenwood