Continuing to build on the Parable of the Sower that we began last week, we now continue pondering on the importance of the Word of God, studying the different structures that help us keep our hearts as fertile soil to bear fruit. Firstly, it is important that we walk in the full revelation of the wealth that the Scriptures carry, because without this conviction, we will have no propelling enticement that will keep us in the Word. It was told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8). It is clear that the Word of God has the ability to prosper us in all areas of our lives, and if we truly believed that the same way we believe education, hard work, good networks and so on can make us prosperous – then we would give it the due effort required. One such a way is in the active management of our heart, which is the soil that the seed of the Word falls on. As an instruction, the Scriptures tell us, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:24). This is clear, our lives follow the contents and direction of our hearts, and without the necessary upkeep, our hearts have the ability to limit our lives, no matter how much God may desire for it to be otherwise.
Reading from the gospel of Mark, we understand that, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” (Mark 4:26-28) – this passage gives us an illustration of the growth process, showing us that while it takes time for the Word to bear fruit, the fruit will surely come. This is why it is important that we manage our hearts, because the heart gives no mind to the quality of the seed (whether it be good or bad), all it knows is to just bear fruit. It thus remains our responsibility to make sure that the seed planted in our hearts is the Word of God, so that the only fruit we expect is the fruit of faith (Romans 10:17).
Reading the parable from Mark’s rendition, Jesus begins to show how many will hear the mysteries of the Kingdom but not understand them, for they have been concealed to this effect and kept for the children of God (Mark 4:1-20). It is therefore quite the tragedy when the same children of God these mysteries have been kept for do not understand them, for it is not enough to merely hear, we must understand to apply – or we are no better than unbelievers. Of the different types of soil, we first read of those by the wayside. To display the absolute danger of the Word of God to the enemy, we read that he made it a point to go and steal the seed of the Word, even though it fell by the wayside and was not going to find root anyway – he simply cannot risk it! Of the second and third group, these are the ones with stones and thorns that choke the Word as it grows; it is important for us to note that a heart with many residents and much activity is not conducive for the sustenance of the seed of the Word of God. This is because the nutrients and resources of our hearts are limited, so when there is a lot going on, all those distractions (cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, pride of life, etc.) eat from that very finite pool of nutrients, leaving the Word of God choked and without much food for growth. For the heart that must bear fruit, less is truly more. So prioritize well, know what truly is worth your targeted effort and what is not.
Lastly, the passage speaks to us about good ground, which is a heart that bears the fruit of the Word planted therein. From Luke 8:15, we read, “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience”. An important factor is that these are the ones who not only heard the Word, but KEPT it with patience, showing a level of required endurance to see through the process to the end. It is the one who holds on who bears fruit, and it is the one who shows value to the Word already received that will go on to receive more (Mark 4:24-25). Showing value entails meditating on it and putting it to practice. One who practices these things will surely bear fruit in due season (Psalms 1:1-3)!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Your Word. Help us to cultivate hearts that are good soil, where Your Word can grow and bear fruit. Teach us to prioritize and meditate on Your Word daily, trusting in its power to transform us. In Jesus’ name, Amen
