Sabbath Thought: A Farmer’s Prayer

A visiting pastor was attending a community breakfast in the middle of a rural farming area of the country. Before the people began eating, an older farmer asked a blessing over the morning breakfast.

“Lord, I hate buttermilk”, the farmer began.

The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going.

Continuing in his prayer, the farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate fat.”

Now at this point, the pastor was growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw flour”. 

The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room to see that he wasn’t the only one feeling a bit concerned and uncomfortable.

The old farmer then concluded his prayer by saying, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So, Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you’re saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than warm fresh biscuits. Amen.”

     After reading the above “Farmer’s Prayer” earlier this week, I found myself thinking about an important aspect of how we’re to view and respond to the challenges we experience in this life. Each one of us must face things that we don’t particularly like and if given the chance, we often try to avoid them. However, if we spend our lives trying to avoid things we simply don’t like or focus on the negative aspect of these situations, we can in the process overlook what God could be revealing and miss the vital lesson He’s attempting to teach us.

     This story also touches the fact that our Father knows exactly what’s needed to complete the work that He has begun in us, (Philippians 1:6, Isaiah 46:3-4). To encourage us during this lifelong process, we also have an example set by Jesus Christ that should teach us that there’s nothing that we’ll face in this life that can ever come close in comparison to joy that has been set before us, (Hebrews 12:1-2). Along with His perfect example, He left us with an impactful statement to consider as this work continues and we strive to endure to the end in Luke 21:19, “In your patience possess your souls.”

     If we allow the difficult moments, which in reality are just minor snap-shots of our lives, to define who we are, we can loss the vision of exactly what God is doing in and through us, (Philippians 3:7-14). We must as King David expressed in Psalm 23, trust in the fact that the Lord is indeed the Shepherd who leads His flock. The path may not always be easy and we may not fully understand why, but if we’re patiently following and obeying that voice, we can rest assured that where He leads is worth the process of getting there.

     King David was vivid about the stages of that journey, yet not once was the flock left in want or in danger. In fact, there was no reason to fear even in the darkest of moments, because there was always a great source of comfort present and a shepherd willing to restore the soul when needed.

     Paul also reminds us in Acts 14:22 that, “We must through MANY tribulations enter the Kingdom of God”. Yes, the Kingdom has been promised, but scripture clearly states it will take patience to see this hope, this joy come to fruition, (Luke 12:32). We can’t forget that Jesus never hid the fact that following Him would be difficult. That’s why Paul was inspired to write in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

     Please take the time this evening and throughout the Sabbath to meditate on the following scriptures in light of this wonderful reminder. There will be things and situations that we don’t like to experience in this life, trials being chief. However, when we keep that vision of the joy that has been set before us and understand what is being produced in our character as we patiently persevere and endure, the end result will definitely be much better than “Warm fresh biscuits”, (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

       1 Peter 1:3-9, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

     1 Peter 5: 6-7, 10, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you… But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

May you all experience a wonderful and blessed Sabbath,
Ryan Hall

For the Youth - Bible Trivia:

1. In what river was Jesus baptized?
*Hint: Matthew 3:13-17

2. What city was Paul headed to when Jesus miraculously called him?
*Hint: Acts 9:1-8

3. What did God promise to Abraham concerning his descendants?
* Hint: Genesis 22:15-18

North Canton Announcements:

1. Sabbath Service Time (July 8th): 11:00 AM
2. Next Sabbath – (July 15th): 2:00 PM
3. Mitch Showers: The TAVR surgery was successful and Mitch is recovering just fine.
4. Update: Due to Summer Schedules and/or Travel Plans; The Monthly Bible Study, Men’s Club, and Women’s Bible Study have been postponed until August. The next Monthly Bible Study will be Thursday, August 17th at 7:30. The next Men’s Club and Women’s Bible Study will be on the Sabbath of August 26th.
5. Festival Assistance: For those who will need festival to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Please let myself, John, or the festival advisor know so that we can get the request in asap.

If I’ve overlooked anything, Please let me know ASAP.