Were There Are No Oxen

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.” (Prov 14:4)

Where there are no oxen, life is simpler; no expense, no mess, and no caring for the animal.  Yes, the manger is clean and empty, but there also is no harvest.

Some people say that they are going to simplify their lives by getting rid of possessions, and doing less.  Eventually, they increase their recreation.  Sadly, hospitality seems to be an imposition on them.  Most likely these people thought that they were being over-run with the cares of the world, and that caused them to want a change; they decided to do less. However, their changes really came from a heart that had grown tired of caring about other’s needs. They forgot that their lives would produce a harvest.

To put this lesson into perspective, there are certain things we need for a harvest, and giving up needless clutter is not wrong.  But in the above scripture, men needed oxen to produce a harvest.  In our days we do not use oxen, and our harvests may not come from crops that we have planted.  But if we need a financial harvest, we may need a car to drive to work.  The car would be our oxen, you might say. If we did landscaping, we would need a truck to drive the tools of our trade to work and back home again, or we would have no work, and no financial gain. If we had a ministry, we would look for a harvest that involves people, and either they, or we ourselves, would need to get together.  Our vehicle would provide that transportation, so that we could have a harvest through our ministry. Although our life would be simpler and more care-free without a car, the financial responsibility and care of our vehicle is something we take on in order that we might bear fruit, and reap a harvest.

It’s been over 10 years since my husband and I moved back to my hometown from Hawaii.   There we had helped build our own home, and it was often used for hospitality.  It was a lot of work to build, and a lot of work to clean, plus extra money to care for those who stayed with us.  We often provided transportation and food. We had extra sheets and towels, dishes . . . you get the idea.    I use the word “extra” because, if I had had a simpler life, I myself did not need these things. However, the Lord brought people to stay with us who are still friends to this day.  One couple is part of ministry at times.  What a rich experience giving hospitality was for us, and it brought a bountiful harvest.

I do not think that God always intends for us to have a simpler life. Instead, He may entrust us with possessions to be used for His glory … or people who enrich our lives.  In the parable of the minas (Lk 19:12-27), the steward who had been faithful with what his Lord had entrusted to him received the most in return; he was set as a ruler over cities.  It does not look like life got simpler for him.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9)

Let us remember the harvest.  In all that we do, God will strengthen us.  If we do not try to give away our oxen, whatever they might be in our present life, we will accomplish what the Lord has set us on this earth to do.  Amen.

Satisfied with knowing God's nature

God loves to answer our questions.  Tonight I felt myself wanting to read from a favorite book in the Bible.  I asked the Lord why I like the stories there, and here is His answer;

“What satisfies you is to see Me. You see My nature in the Old Testament because of the prophets and faithful scribes who wrote about My words and My works. But in this present Age many men think My nature will never be manifest any better than their own.  They forget My nature as God the Creator, the Great I Am, and think I am only the treasure in jars of clay, peeping out as oft as they let Me.

The book of Revelation brings men’s attention back to the God Who has always had the Master plan, Who holds creation’s life in the balances, and Who reigns over all.

A true follower wants Me to appear to be Great, for I am.  He makes My nature known so that others will want to know Me.  But many do not follow, because they want to look great to men themselves.  They want men to follow them, and they leave their followers empty. No one can satisfy the needs of Man but God.”  Amen.

We find God's nature in the scriptures and by His Spirit.  Let us show that nature through our lives so that others may come to know how Great God is.  Amen.

God is working on our Destiny

Sometimes God is doing things we do not know about . . . good things we haven’t imagined.  Life’s hardships impregnate us with destiny.  This concept is illustrated in Isaiah’s word to Israel during her captivity.  In chapter 49 we see that, as a nation, Israel was barren and desolate, like a women who could not bear children.  Yet she entered into her destiny without her own effort.  During her period of bereavement, her children were born, and she was so astonished that she wondered where they came from, and who bore them (Is 49:20-21).

We may have our sights so low that we do not think good can come from our lives.  If good came, we might think that it was meant for someone else’s benefit, and not that it was our own destiny.  However, just as in Israel’s case, so it is now that God is ever about fulfilling His Word . . . accomplishing His will in our lives.  We may feel like we do not deserve it, but God is at work to bring our destiny into our lives.  Isaiah writes;

The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing; ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.’ (vs 20).

Our destiny is a big thing.  We are impregnated with a big life to live.  God is doing things we cannot see . . . things we do not know about . . . good things we haven’t imagined.  Let us remember that God always has us on His mind, to bring His Word concerning our destiny to pass. Amen.

Trust and Rest

Some days mark the end of large projects or events.  That was my “today.”  As I sat for a time of refreshing with the Lord, I couldn’t still my thoughts.  Reflections over the past 4 months needed to be cleared from my mind so that I could move forward.  Then, I could picture Jesus walking amongst the crowd of people, all who wanted His ministry. I realized that He had been a very busy, busy man. Finally I asked the Lord this question; “Lord, how did You clear your mind after your busy days?”

He gave me a simple answer; “I trusted My heavenly Father.  He knows what we have need of (Mt 6:8). Satan convinces men that God is their adversary . . . this belief causes mistrust and steals the peace and rest appointed to men.”

I remembered that, in the parable of the minas (talents), one steward thought that God was unfair, like an adversary, and some men did not want the Lord to rule over them (see Lk 19:12-27). They all met with disastrous results. 

Jesus wants to give us rest.  Here is His invitation to us:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Mt 11:28-30)

Let us learn from Jesus, and let Him rule over our lives.  God has appointed peace and rest to us. We only need to trust Him.  Amen.