Isaiah 28:24-25 – “Does the farmer plow continually to plant seed?  Does he continually turn and harrow the ground?  ²⁵ Does he not level its surface and sow dill and scatter cummin and plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place and rye within its area?”

Isaiah 30:15 – “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.”  But you were not willing.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the Christian Life became my focus.  Something interesting gripped my thoughts as I read Isaiah 28:24-25. The prophet asked some challenging yet straightforward questions that address a condition that is both prevalent and relevant.   

Farmers prepare to plant, then plant.  They do not keep preparing to plant. Some prepare for what they want God to do but never get around to doing it.  They are continually preparing, clearing the land, leveling the soil, repenting, turning over a new leaf.  Continual preparation is action’s greatest enemy.

The five-fold ministry is charged with equipping the believers for ministry. There comes a time when development transforms into implementation! Yes, we keep growing and addressing recurring issues, but if we are always a field under preparation, what is our purpose?

Isaiah 30:15 is a powerful response or pathway to implementation!  Repent, then wait patiently on the LORD.  Repentance is step one; total trust expressed in patient waiting is the key! Calm trust provides the strength, courage, and determination to stand and to do!

Galatians 5:24-25 sheds liberating light.  If we trust Jesus for our salvation (which requires making Him LORD), then we HAVE not WILL crucified the flesh. One way of saying that is, “We will stop plowing the field, trying to get ready to plant; we will plant in the prepared field of our hearts.”

Some say, “But I keep having the same issues and can’t overcome the flesh.” Galatians 6:9 – DON’T STOP! Keep doing what you know to do!

It really is a matter of trust! It is by Faith, not by Sight or perceived perfection or preparation, but by persistent obedience that we become! Legalism devalues grace and values works. (Galatians 2:18-21).

If you are waiting until you think you are ready, you will be like the person in Ecclesiastes 11:4: “He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who observes the clouds will not reap.” Maybe it is time to stop preparing and start doing it! “ (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Let us be doers of the Word, not just hearers. Information without application results in stagnation!