DEVOTE YOURSELF TO THE WORD

“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:8 KJV

Today, I come your way to encourage you to hold fast to the Word you have received until your desires manifest. Jesus gave us a parable in Mark chapter 4 about the sower. The sower went out to sow some seeds. And  verse 14 tells us that the seed is the Word of God. Some of the seeds fell on the wayside, some fell by the stony ground and some fell on thorns. All of these did not bear any fruit. But thank God the story did not end there. Some fell on a good ground and there were fruits to show for it. Mark 4:20 says “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”(NKJV)

Jesus used this parable because farming is such a relatable process. We understand the importance of planting on a good land. We understand that there is a  type of climate that is suitable for particular crops. But  that is not my focus today. You see, if  you ask any farmer; he will tell you that planting the seed is just the beginning of the process. Cultivation has to take place in order for there to be a harvest. After planting, there are things the farmer must do to ensure he/she has a bountiful harvest.

The farmer must cultivate what has been planted. I looked up the dictionary meaning of the word ‘cultivate’ and here’s what I found: “To prepare and work on  in order to raise crops. To develop or improve.” One definition I particularly like is “to devote oneself to”. Did you see that? You must be devoted to that seed if you want it to bear fruits. And  the same thing goes for the Word of God. Devotion is a requirement. You  can’t afford to be lackadaisical and just go about things anyhow and still expect a bountiful harvest. No! You must stick with the Word.

Further Reading: Mark 4:3-20; 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Deuteronomy 4-6; Evening- Mark 11:1-18