Driving by beautiful dark green fields of rice, soybeans, and corn, it’s hard to believe there could be trouble. A farmer must be ready & prepared for the unseen enemies & troubles… not caught flat-footed when the unexpected happens.

The seed my dad planted was treated to protect it from fungus & pests during the initial germination phase. Later, He would use various herbicides & pesticides if needed. But there were wild & tame animals who loved his fields. Deer loved to straddle a soybean row when it first came above ground. They could wipe out a whole row in a night. I remember some people “thought” they could cut our fence to enable their hogs to eat & reside in dad’s rice field. Dad’s employees were not exempt from the troubles of life and equipment breakdowns that came at inconvenient times. A good farmer must always be vigilant and creative to find a way to get the crop in. A farmer never forgets the main thing…it’s the harvest!

Today, people seem surprised at daily troubles. People allow themselves to be distracted, even paralyzed by the merchants of fear & division. Wherever you go you can hear conversations that start with, “Did you hear…” “Do you know what he/she said…,” “I think…” and on & on. This is the great opportunity of our time. To shift the conversation from despair of this world brought to us by broken people to the Hope of Eternity with the King of Kings.

In John 16:33 Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble.” 

But listen to the full statement. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33. 

Jesus tells us to focus on the certainty of harvest. Only Jesus has control over all enemies & troubles. When King Jehoshaphat faced complete destruction of his nation he stood before God & his people and prayed this prayer found in 2 Chronicles 20:12, “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

The question is do you trust Him enough to allow Him to take control of your farm (life)? 

What does it take? Where do I start, you ask? It always begins with “knowing” in your heart that Jesus is your only Hope. He is Worthy of our love, trust, and lives. In Luke 23:42 we read nine words that changed a man’s eternal destiny, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And how did Jesus respond… “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus said, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11. It is not too late. No matter who you are or what you have done…Jesus is standing at your door knocking (Rev 3:20) …get up and answer the door. Like the thief on the cross…you will be Blessed.