Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you . . . Genesis 3:18a, NKJV

I suppose that we must accept the fact that we sometimes have to take the bitter with the sweet. And into each life some . . . thorns will grow, no doubt moistened by the rains that fall.
Ah! Yes, and accept life’s misfortunes as well as its joys.
My life as a shepherd brings me into physical contact with a variety of thorns, briers and thistles, a legacy, I suppose, of Adam’s indiscretion. Several examples of prickly and poking things insist on sharing this plot of ground with me. They snag my clothing, puncture tires, and tangle in the wool on the sheep.
The Bible symbolizes that which is worthless or evil as briers (Micah 7:4.) Ezekiel characterized the enemies of Israel as pricking briers and painful thorns (28:4.) Isaiah tells a parable of a vineyard in chapter 5, vss. 1-7, abandoned to briers and thorns when it brought forth wild grapes. The vineyard, of course, is Judah; God will “take away its hedge and break down its wall” (vs. 5.)
Jesus compared false prophets to thornbushes and thistles. (Mt. 7:16; Lk. 6:44) The earth that bears thorns and briers is rejected. (Hebrews 5:8)
There is irony that such prickly plants as inflict distress or irritation also bear some of the most beautiful, aromatic flowers and luscious fruit. The bramble family includes raspberries and blackberries, for example, a treat for those brave enough to do battle with the briers. Honey bees make a sweet, water white honey from the nectar of the thorny locust tree.
A bramble called “multiflora rose” abounds in our area. Now condemned as an invasive plant pest, Multiflora rose was promoted for use in erosion control and as "living fences" to confine livestock. Sounded like a wonder plant, at first. Unfortunately, it spreads everywhere, especially where you don’t want briers, and the real wonder is why people planted it in the first place!
Sometimes we have a figurative “thorn in the flesh” to torment us. (See 2 Cor. 12:7) We may encounter a prickly situation at home, at work, at school, or - heaven forbid! - even at church. And, few there be among us that escape physical pain, but some seem to have more than their fair share.
Still, for those who seek and hope, may the Lord bring His grace to you, as he said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
Think of the rose: cultivated by multitudes, praised by poets, and tendered as a token of love and appreciation, the rose’s better qualities outweigh its otherwise prickly nature.
Yes, life will bring forth thorns and thistles, but, handled carefully, even briers blossom and bring forth fruit, or a sweet, heavenly perfume.
August 19, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Thorn In the Flesh
* Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses.
Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses. Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005