Luke 8:6 (NKJV)
“Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.”
As we saw in yesterday's MRE, the first ground that the sower encountered was the hardened ground, where the birds came and took the seed away. So what does scripture tell us about the second soil we just read about?
Luke 8:13 (NKJV)
“But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.”
I like how The Passion Translation gives it to us.
Luke 8:13 (TPT)
“The seed falling on the gravel represents those who initially respond to the word with joy, but soon afterward, when a season of harassment of the enemy and difficulty come to them, they wither and fall away, for they have no root in the truth and their faith is temporary.”
This is the next vast majority of people, they are either in a season where “claiming” Jesus is easy and comfortable so they join in. However, they have never really surrendered themselves to His Lordship and began to grow in the knowledge of the Word of God. It says they have no roots, so they wither and fall in the face of temptation or adversity.
You see the Word of God is likened unto water, in Ephesians 5:26, Paul writes “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” and scripture tells us that we are like trees, the Psalmist writes in Ps. 1:3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Its obvious that trees need water, and other than manually watering a tree where does it find its water? Underground, usually deep in the soil, and its only means to transport that water is through the roots!
Paul writes in Colossians 2:6-7 (TPT) “In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!”
What's amazing is even in the natural there are times you will see a huge tree taken over from its roots and if you look close, the outward appearance may have seemed big and solid, yet its roots were shallow. The opposite is to be said of some of the smallest trees that survive tornadoes, hurricanes and high winds. These trees are accustomed to their surroundings and they know storms will come and so they grow deep and root themselves and are ready when the time to stand presents itself.
So is the same for anyone in the Kingdom of God. If we wait until the battle comes to try and defend ourselves we will be found defeated even before the start!
Seek the Lord with your whole heart!
Be Blessed in Jesus Name!!!