Isaiah 41: 18.
The term "Drought" conjures a picture of an arid , barren and desolate landscape .
It is synonymous with devastation and dryness; lack of rain or of water; especially, such dryness of the weather as affects the earth, and prevents the growth of plants, which is a prelude to severe scarcity of water and food and failed harvests.
Drought conditions are so depressing and undesirable.
The Bible says "Drought" is a curse:
"They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD". Jeremiah 12:13.
Apart from drought affecting agricultural produce and causing severe famine; drought , also , could manifest as the scarcity of worthwhile places, profitable projects and even of trustworthy people to sow into .
Scarcity , or disappearance of expected harvests and of lack of expected reward or revenue could dissipate human energy and crush the will and desire for further investments of time and labour in any forms of futture sowing and investing.
Drought and barrenness trigger societal upheavals which could become life-threatening situations. They cause changes which breed unpleasant character traits in hitherto decent human beings. Human dignity and integrity become a rarity ; while selfishness , deceit, fraud and greed, amongst other crimes, become rampant in the society.
Lifestyles would become modeled on attitudes of "Survival of the Fittest!"," None of my business! Am NOT my brother's keeper!" Everybody to himself ; God for us all!" .
The general mind-set of sowers in any drought-afflicted society is " Get all you can ; can all you get!" There is hardly any thought of reaching out to help others.
During drought, due to discouragement resulting from past failed harvests, there is a scarcity of sowers.
Sowers become weary from their past unprofitable labours and they are wary of sowing in drought conditions , of sowing in unprofitable
investments and sowing in undeserving persons and risky projects.
Then the sower would withhold his seed and withdraw his or her hand from sowing time , money and efforts in anything or in anybody.
When, the seed-bearing sower sees the fields of his withered crops, sees the parched earth and the leaden skies and when he remembers his failed harvests; the natural reaction would be for him to give up, go home with his seed and starve.
No sowing , no bread.
It would take a supernatural determination for the sower to roll up his sleeve; clear away the failed harvest , till the parched ground and sow his seed in those same devastated fields, again ; even with no sign or hope of rain !
Who would dare to go sowing during the arid and harsh conditions of drought ?
The natural answer to that question would be:"Only fools with surplus money; more money than sense, would do that; a fool and his money are soon parted!".
But persistence and faith are not found in the bosom of fools.
Neither are riches an indication of wisdom.
"Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment".Job 32:9.
Sowing in drought conditions is NOT an activity for "fools".
It cannot be so , because fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The ravages of drought are an indication of the presence of an "invading army of devourers" which only the power of God can remove.
The power of God is mighty to deliver those who heed the instructions of the Word of God . God is mighty and willing to heal and to deliver from failed expectations and to restore the lost harvests, the lost years and lost glories caused by "invading armies". Joel 2 : 21- 27.
For the committed and Believing sower ; what to do in a situation of excruciating drought and failed harvests?
Bear in mind that sowing in the time of drought is a conscious and determined effort born of knowledge and of wisdom that are not of this world.
This is the exploit for the righteous bold who know their God.
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God".1Corinthians 2:5.
It would take the anointing of "Exceeding Faith" and the anointing of " The Patience of Job" to enable persistent sowing in ministries , in human lives and in projects; in a period of scarcity, when one's resources are stretched to the limit.
These are great exploits done, only by those who are bold in the knowledge of who their God is and by those who know what they are doing and who believe that for their efforts, God is able to provide bountiful harvests as rewards for themselves and to enable them to reach out to minister to others. Proverbs 11 : 24-26..
Sowing in drought is done by those who believe and trust that He is the God who says what He means , does what He says and He is the miracle-working God who never fails.
He makes all things beautiful , in His own perfect time.
" Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places". Habakkuk 3: 17-19.
For the poor and the needy , in the time of drought of sowers and of unwilling givers ; from whence cometh their help?
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them ".
Isaiah 41:17.
Timely help will surely come from the Lord of the Harvest who gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater. 2 Corinthians 9 : 8-11.
Only believe , trust and obey God's Word.
May you be blessed and sustained , always by the Faithful God. Amen.
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