“He that observes the wind shall not sow—and he that regards the clouds shall not reap. As you know not what is the way of the spirit nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child, even so you know not the works of God, Who makes all. In the morning sow your seed and in the evening withhold not your hand—for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
Go ahead; take the leap of faith. It’s never a leap into the unknown; it’s always a leap into the everlasting Arms of God (Dt. 33:27).
Risks.
No one likes to take them, although folks with a propensity for gambling quite often throw caution to the wind in their greedy quest to “get rich quick.” Then, they wonder why they’re always behind the eight-ball financially.
Today’s Manna is a call for us to learn what it means to “step out of the boat.” That night on the Sea of Galilee, Pete—a seasoned fisherman—did something he’d never done before on that body of water: With no water wings or floatation device (other than faith), he stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water to Jesus (Mk. 14:29). Even though he and the other Apostles were frightened when they first saw Jesus coming toward them (vv.25-26), Peter said “Lord, if that’s really You, bid me to come unto You” (v.28).
And Jesus said “Come.”
Although he would later take his eyes off Jesus and quickly begin to sink beneath the waves, Peter still risked everything there in that deep, stormy darkness to draw closer to Christ. And, even though his wasn’t a perfect faith, it still was a courageous and “risking” faith that staked everything upon the One Who’d invited him to come.
Solomon said “If you spend more time watching the wind or weather than you do sowing seeds, you’ll never reap a harvest”. Even though (in his day) they couldn’t explain where the wind comes from or how a baby develops in the womb, he said “it’s still important to entrust our lives into the safekeeping of the One Who does. If you’ll go ahead and live by faith, rather than fear, you’re much more apt to prosper than you are to fail—especially when trusting the One Who promised to guide your steps (Prov. 3:5-6).”
And, quite often, to our surprise and delight, crops will grow where we didn’t expect them—just as lives will blossom where no hope seemed to exist (cf. Ez. 37:1-14). Truly, our God is a Miracle-working God Who specializes in “Wrecks Rebuilt” (II Cor. 5:17).
How generous are you, Pilgrim? Do you only give that which you feel you can “afford” for fear of running short? If so, isn’t it time to begin being “liberal in your love” and “generous in your gracious giving”—especially when you remember from Whose Supply you draw (Phil. 4:19).
Our Heavenly Father will never leave us in a lurch. He’ll always “do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the Power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). Truly, our responsibility is giving; His responsibility is supplying. Trust Him.
July 29, 2011
