No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as far as the curse is found
Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)
Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this carol in which we call the world to sing with joy, how will you find your place in the song? Let’s think about this.
What’s Growing in Your Garden?
Working a garden is not easy, but it is very rewarding. All the sowing can lead to reaping, as long as the time between the two is active as well. What are you sowing?
When you have sown things that bring blessing there comes an eagerness for the reaping. When you have sown other things there will more likely be dread. All the work to cultivate and tend your garden can seem like futility, and it certainly can be very difficult, but when you care for the process blessings can certainly flow.
He comes to make His blessings flow
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21 ESV
The freedom of the glory of the children of God.How we long for that! We hope for the creation itself to be set free from its bondage to corruption. Jesus made all that possible. He came to start that work and will return to complete it. We long for His blessings to flow!
Thanks be to God that Jesus has a different plan for the garden of our lives. He wants blessings to flow instead of curses. He has already done the significant work required to make that possible, but we have to partner with Him. Will you prepare for your garden work?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about what you are allowing to grow in the garden of your life. You can weed out the bad, and cultivate the good. Make this your simple prayer “Lord, help me prepare for my garden work.”
What Fruit Is Flourishing in Your Grove?
From the garden to the grove the same principles are in play. Trees are known for the fruit they bear. The same is true of us. What are you bearing?
Are there blessings bursting forth from you? Or are there curses? Our sin has wrought a curse, but we bear in our lives the firstfruits of what is to come. Are the signs of those fruits evident in your life?
Far as far as the curse is found
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:22-23 ESV
The redemption of our bodies. The curse brings death, but the blessing Jesus offers is life. The firstfruits of the Spirit deposit that longing in us for our adoption as sons and daughters, when the curse is removed and all we know is the blessing of being with God eternally, like the garden.
His intent is there will be no thorns in our gardens. He will make it so one day. Until then we can labor with Him to remove thorns and create a scenario in which blessings flow. But please note, this is not easy work and must be engaged in regularly for those thorns are insidious.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on the firstfruits of your life, things that demonstrate the work of the Spirit. You can partner with Jesus to bear the fruit He wants. Simply ask Him “God, help me tend my garden regularly.“
Jesus, thank You for the work you are doing in the garden and grove of my life. I can produce nothing but thorns and curses without Your help. Help me partner with Your work. In Jesus name. Amen.
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Podcast 47.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
No more let sins and sorrows grow
And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; Genesis 3:17 ESV
It all started in a garden. Though given the freedom to live in God’s presence, Adam and Eve were deceived into trying to be like God. Sin and sorrow were ushered in with that decision but the Father made a way to reverse the curse, sending His only Son to redeem us.
Nor thorns infest the ground
Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. Genesis 3:18 ESV
We are all well aware of the futility of our labors. We sow with the hope of reaping, and weeds show up seemingly out of nowhere, but they are the result of the Fall. You may have done nothing to welcome them but there they are. What thorns are present in your life right now?
He comes to make His blessings flow
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21 ESV
The freedom of the glory of the children of God.How we long for that! We hope for the creation itself to be set free from its bondage to corruption. Jesus made all that possible. He came to start that work and will return to complete it. We long for His blessings to flow!
Far as far as the curse is found
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:22-23 ESV
The redemption of our bodies. The curse brings death, but the blessing Jesus offers is life. The firstfruits of Spirit deposit that longing in us for our adoption as sons and daughters, when the curse is removed and all we know is the blessing of being with God eternally, like the garden.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as far as the curse is found
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Gardens and Groves are Great Proving Groundsappeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
He comes to make His blessings flow – https://pixabay.com/photos/farm-garden-rows-cabbages-1094434/
Far as far as the curse is found – https://pixabay.com/photos/orange-tree-orange-grove-plantation-1117420/
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