I KNOW of nothing dear children, more interesting in nature than country life. We have an extensive country around our home town, and we so much enjoy driving out to the different farms with tracts and papers, at the same time watching the work of the farmer. It is especially refreshing in the summer time.
The old man and the women have come out to dig potatoes, and to lay some by for the winter. They are working hard and no doubt will be ready for a substantial dinner, after their hard toil in the heat.
Now, my dear young friends, God is speaking to you and me. He has placed man here to plant, but it is God who gives the increase. He has promised seed-time and harvest, and His word will never fail.
God has made the right kind of soil, and given the right degree of warmth. He gives the beautiful sunlight, the refreshing rain, and the gentle dew. If He had not done all this, nothing would grow. You and I are dependent on the goodness of God for our daily bread. How thankful we should be to Him. O, that our hearts may be in the spirit of praise continually.
But, dear children, there is a much deeper lesson in all this for us, than merely provision for our bodies. The soul is of much greater importance, and we long for the Word of God to have a place in your hearts.
There is much good seed being sown, which is the Word of God (Luke 8:1111Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11)). How often, dear ones, you have listened to His Word at home, and in Sunday-school. Has the seed only fallen by the way side; and has Satan devoured it? That is what Satan does with many of your memory texts, and lessons. You forget them immediately.
Some fell on the rock, —perhaps a sprinkling of soft earth on the top, and rock beneath. This is like a boy or girl whose feelings are touched by the Word, but it never reaches the heart they are not saved.
Others hear, and go away, and the pleasures of the world choke the Word.
Now, boys and girls, it is only when the ground is plowed up by the Word, that is, when you feel the sinfulness of your heart, then you feel your need of a Saviour. This in Scripture, is called good ground. The seed falls into the heart, takes root and brings forth fruit—for Christ.
May your hearts, dear ones, be ready to receive the seed—The Word of God, and may it have power over your heart and conscience, bringing you to fully trust in a crucified and risen Christ.
“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John, 12:24.
ML 09/06/1925