Jordan is a third-generation farmer who is taking over his father’s apple orchards. Recently we were talking about all the agricultural metaphors in the Bible. “On the farm, I learn so many spiritual lessons,” he said. As we conversed further, we discussed John 12:24—in which Jesus talks about the harvest that results from a single seed being buried in the ground. The wisdom found in that verse was encouraging, because during that season of life I was feeling emotionally dead—like a seed buried in the ground.
“But so much happens while a seed is buried in the ground,” my friend told me. “We just can’t see it during the cold winter. We see it in the spring and summer.” His words lifted my spirits amid my discouragement due to seemingly unanswered prayer. As Proverbs 13:12 tells us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Much like a seedling pushing up through soil, it was encouraging to consider that my hope was only deferred temporarily as God continued to do His work.
It was when Jesus made His way to Jerusalem to face His death that He talked about the harvest that can result from a single seed buried in the ground (John 12:12-35). He said, “Its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives” (John 12:24). Christ knew that He would soon die and be placed in a tomb. But He recognized that His death, much like a seed planted deep in the ground, would eventually bear a great harvest. Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb, but rose again to life! Because of what Christ has done, we have hope in Him—hope that lifts our spirits even when we’ve been buried by discouragement.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 4:1-22
More:
Read Romans 15:13 and consider the source of real hope.
Next:
What can help you trust in God even when experiencing suffering and discouragement? How will you point others to the Source of Hope today?
Gary Shultz on March 18, 2017 at 5:30 am
Hi Marlena: The “More” and “Next” sections would seem to weave us toward an answer. Christ would ask, do you still not believe, have you no faith, trust me when I say, these statements would indicate some of the “hope” ability. We often make statements of all of these; however, if we really believe what scripture tells us, if we really believe it is God’s direct word to us, we would do more believing, have a strong faith and posses a hope that allows us to walk a confident life. A life of expectation, I very much liked the statement from ODB yesterday – “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” – Jim Elliot. Now that’s faith, that is trusting, that’s believing, and that brings great hope. I really liked that, and his life left in the hands of Christ, brought the light of God’s love to many. Hope not based on our out come, but resting in what God could grow out of our lifes. That is that “Hope beyond Discouragement” Thanks Marlena
Marlena Graves on March 18, 2017 at 8:45 pm
“Hope not based on our out come, but resting in what God could grow out of our lives. That is that ‘Hope beyond Discouragement’.’ Amen. And it something to remember when someone is in a long season of discouragement. I no longer am, but we’ve got to tell ourselves that over and over.
Gary Shultz on March 18, 2017 at 5:31 am
Hi Marlena: The “More” and “Next” sections would seem to weave us toward an answer. Christ would ask, do you still not believe, have you no faith, trust me when I say, these statements would indicate some of the “hope” ability. We often make statements of all of these; however, if we really believe what scripture tells us, if we really believe it is God’s direct word to us, we would do more believing, have a strong faith and posses a hope that allows us to walk a confident life. A life of expectation, I very much liked the statement from ODB yesterday – “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” – Jim Elliot. Now that’s faith, that is trusting, that’s believing, and that brings great hope. I really liked that, and his life left in the hands of Christ, brought the light of God’s love to many. Hope not based on our out come, but resting in what God could grow out of our lives. That is that “Hope beyond Discouragement” Thanks Marlena
hsnpoor on March 18, 2017 at 5:29 pm
That was a good word, Gary, and so very worth repeating! Yes, Christ’s death, burial & ressurection gives us “hope ability” (I love that!). I seem to be in a season where the key word to all of what the Lord has said and is saying, though, is obedience. That hope becomes true faith only as we obey what we know of God, our savior in Christ. Otherwise it’s simply knowledge stored in our hearts and mind that is of no use to anyone, including our own selves. Obedience unlocks the storeroom and starts the engine to things we can’t even imagine or fathom. The faith that is encouraged and rewarded from our obedience encourages and enables us to move from simply being seedlings to allowing ourselves to be buried (lay down our lives for our Friend Jesus; deny ourselves) who will work to, in due time, bring forth a bountiful harvest! May we truly surrender all to the Lord that He may use us, as you say, for His good pleasure and not our own. Discouragement is from the enemy, but the enemy has to flee when we chose to listen and obey the Master’s voice. To God be the glory!
Marlena Graves on March 18, 2017 at 8:48 pm
Thank you. I don’t know if Jesus was discouraged when he sweat blood, but he knew he was going through a very difficult temptation. He didn’t give into, but it was hard on him in the garden of Gethsemane. Of course, Jesus is sinless, but he was tempted in every way like we are. I am glad he didn’t give in and that he was able to get through it by obedience to our Father whom he trusted even unto death! He would not give into the enemy.
gagirllive on March 18, 2017 at 9:30 am
Amen, Marlena. A lot happens that we don’t see in the dead of winter underneath the ground. And it’s necessary…for the harvest to come. In my discouragement, I often remind myself that God is doing a thousand things that I am unaware of, and I go ahead and praise Him for every one of them. In His timing, He will reveal. Marlena, Romans 15: 13 is my favorite hope verse. It holds the key to experiencing joy and peace and overflowing hope—Trust. Choosing to trust Him in the midst of it all keeps me from drowning in discouragement. Sometimes I feel like I have lived in Narnia so long where it’s “always winter but never Christmas”. But then I remind myself that Christmas has come, and Christ is here with me in all of this. And one day all the winters of this world will turn into eternal spring. Thank you for this blossom today, Marlena. The dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom here, friends. Ahhh….spring! 🙂
gagirllive on March 18, 2017 at 3:19 pm
It just so “happens” that today’s verse on Bible Gateway is Romans 15: 13. 🙂
Marlena Graves on March 18, 2017 at 8:49 pm
So encouraging! Yes, spring is a reminder that the winter ends!
crossman61 on March 18, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Thank you Marlena for these great Words of Jesus !! They are always of First Importance . I Love His parables with hidden messages and multiple meanings . Many seeds must die or germinate before they are buried so they can produce new life .If they are buried they will just rot .This Is just one of many ways Jesus reveals His life , death , burial , and Resurrection , and also how ours can be. not just a physical death . I have seen some Baptized and there is no difference from before. That says they truly did not die to self. And there was no new life. Another great example of Death,Burial, and Resurrection we see most everyday , When we see the Sun shine all day , The Life , When the Sun Goes down its The Death and Burial , And When it Rises The Resurrection its New Life again. Another way to say it . James 4:6 God opposes the proud , but shows favor to the humble. When we are humbled he will exalt us. Mathew 23;12 and Luke 14:11. There is more that is Revealed to us , we just need to be mindful of it to see them, that Our Savior has Given to us , when He Created EVERYTHING !!!
Marlena Graves on March 18, 2017 at 8:50 pm
This is a good word. Thank for that image about the sun. I have never thought of it like that but it is a daily reminder! Bless you!
Gary Shultz on March 19, 2017 at 6:40 am
Thanks Kim, you are very kind and encouraging; however, the repeat was some dysfunction with the program. It’s not that I thought it was that good that I had to repeat it. You had mercy on my wayward PC, thanks.
twincitiesjim on March 20, 2017 at 2:04 pm
I am a little late in responding to this because I fell behind in my devotionals over the weekend. However, this one again struck a nerve with me. I also am struggling with frustration at unanswered prayer and not understanding God’s plan in my life. It is hard to understand why he would let my wife continue in her desire for divorce and let the divorce go through despite many messages of restoration. It is 5 months past the divorce date and I still struggle to understand it. Seven years of prayer have not been answered in the way I desired. I know I was not the man he wanted me to be and probably am still not. I trusted him through it all and tried so hard to make him proud. I know he is working some plan and I only hope that I can be obedient to his will and that I can accept whatever he has for me. Maybe I am just in the winter months and spring is coming soon. I don’t know. I also don’t know what the new growth will look like when it does come. It most likely will not be what I expect or hope for, but I do know it will be for God’s glory and that is worth it – regardless of how hard it is. In the meantime, I have learned that all I can do it trust in him and know that some day I will have everlasting Joy with him in heaven if not in this world.
Marlena Graves on March 20, 2017 at 9:18 pm
@twincitiesjim – I am so sorry for your deep suffering. I hope and pray that you have a local Christian community walking through this with you. I will pray that spring comes for you. And it will. We have hope.
gagirllive on March 21, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Today I’m playing a little catch-up to these devotionals myself, twincitiesjim. I wanted to respond to what you’ve shared here. I feel your hurt in my heart in regard to the disappointment and frustration you feel about your “unaswered” prayer. I remember a while back you shared your hope with us for the restoration of your marriage. I’m so sorry things have not turned out the way you prayed they would…yet. I pray I never experience divorce, but I can only imagine that it feels like a big period in your life. I’m sure it seems so final—the death nail to the relationship. But I believe as long as there is breath in us, God can still change things in our lives. So maybe you have put a period where there is a comma. 🙂 Keep praying until you get a breakthrough or until God shows you the period. Be like the persistent widow…keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. I know 7 years seems like a long time. I’ve been praying for my prodigal about that long too, and it seems like God is taking His dear time to answer. But He is still doing great things in the “wait”. He’s changing me while I’m believing, praying, and waiting. And He’s doing a thousand other things I cant see. In His timing (and that’s how He operates…in timing, not time), He will act. We have dear friends who divorced and remained divorced for about 10 years but are happily remarried now. Wish you could hear their miracle story…all because one of them refused to quit believing and praying. I don’t know what God’s going to do in your case, but you can trust that He hears your fervent prayers and knows your longing heart. Your prayers (nor mine) are not “unanswered”. He has just said, “Wait. Pray. Believe.” Friend, I’m encouraged by your last words about wanting His will to be done—wanting His glory accomplished in your life above all else. That’s exactly where you need to be…and stay. When it’s His glory that we seek, somehow, some way, He satisfies us and makes us content in His pleasure no matter the outcome. He is our true Reward and He is enough. Your story isn’t over. God always has the final word. “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” Praying for you and with you, sojourner. Be glad in Him. Your spring is coming…and you will definitely recognize it when it arrives! 🙂