Seed for Your Sidewalk

November 4, 2009

By Greg Ebie

Periodically during the fall I have to make room along the road for a combine. A farmer will be taking this massive machine from one field to another to bring in the harvest. These machines were designed for the wide-open fields and are out of place on the road. But I’m grateful for what those combines represent — another year in which God has provided a harvest for our nation.

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance” (Psalm 65:11, NLT).

The Psalmist thanked God for the abundance of His provision. Not only were the fields overflowing, but the harvest was so great that it even abounded on the hard pathways. Talk about a bumper crop! God gave a harvest where none was expected.

Perhaps you are traveling a hard path today. Circumstances seem overwhelming. Humanly speaking, nothing good can come from the place you are at. I’ve got good news for you. God does not share our limitations. He can and will bring good out of anything, regardless of how hard the road may be that we travel. Check and see if Romans 8:28 is still in your Bible.

Why was the harvest abundant even along the hard pathways? It was God’s response to prayer.

“You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior”

(Psalm 65:5).

God will not ignore a heart cry of faith. His blessing and provision come to those who earnestly seek Him. Parched, dry and barren is the soul that has no time for prayer. But those who pray will, like Elijah, find God’s provision of rain upon a dry and thirsty ground. Fertilize your hard road with prayer. Gain confidence to face each day by spending time with Jesus. He will awaken you to an abundant harvest — even on your hard road.

— D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.