husbandry

Isaiah 28

23 Listen and hear my voice;
    pay attention and hear what I say.
24 When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
    Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
25 When he has leveled the surface,
    does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
    barley in its plot,
    and spelt in its field?
26 His God instructs him
    and teaches him the right way.

27 Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,
    nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin;
caraway is beaten out with a rod,
    and cumin with a stick.
28 Grain must be ground to make bread;
    so one does not go on threshing it forever.
The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it,
    but one does not use horses to grind grain.
29 All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
    whose plan is wonderful,
    whose wisdom is magnificent.

The Lord is intentional and thoughtful in his relationship with us.  Just as a farmer plows, sows, cultivates, irrigates, and harvests, the Lord engages us and cares for us intentionally to grow us.  Just as a farmer knows the appropriate intensity of threshing for the particular plant and seed, the Lord deals with us with an appropriate intensity to accomplish his purpose but not destroy us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your discipline and husbandry.  Lord, may I be responsive to your care and produce the harvest that you desire.  Lord, please help me grow.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.