In summer, green lawn takes care
Intense heat can leave spots bare
Underground irrigation is expensive
Water sprinklers are just as effective
Dandelions and weeds easily invade
Chemicals will help them go away
Using fertilizer, grass rapidly grows
Resulting in frequent times to mow
When weeds of sin creep into our life
It brings about inner turmoil and strife
The solution is the water of the Spirit
By His Word with our hearts open to it
When trials mow us down with cares
Relief comes taking it to God in prayer
Only He can heal deep wounds and pain
Through difficulty, stronger faith we gain
Like grass, our lives will end and fade
But what eternal differences are made
As we bloom where planted like a flower
Relying fully upon the Holy Spirit's power
Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV)
A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the
flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the
people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
(Based on insights received from the devotional below)
"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass" (Ps. 72:6).
Amos speaks of the king's mowings. Our King has many scythes,
and is perpetually mowing His lawns. The musical tinkle of the
whetstone on the scythe portends the cutting down of myriads of
green blades, daisies and other flowers. Beautiful as they were
in the morning, within an hour or two they lie in long, faded
rows. Thus in human life we make a brave show, before the scythe
of pain, the shears of disappointment, the sickle of death.
There is no method of obtaining a velvety lawn but by repeated
mowings; and there is no way of developing tenderness, evenness,
sympathy, but by the passing of God's scythes. How constantly
the Word of God compares man to grass, and His glory to its
flower! But when grass is mown, and all the tender shoots are
bleeding, and desolation reigns where flowers were bursting,
it is the most acceptable time for showers of rain falling
soft and warm.
O soul, thou hast been mown! Time after time the King
has come to thee with His sharp scythe. Do not dread the
scythe--it is sure to be followed by the shower. --F. B. Meyer
"When across the heart deep waves of sorrow
Break, as on a dry and barren shore;
When hope glistens with no bright tomorrow,
And the storm seems sweeping evermore;
"When the cup of every earthly gladness
Bears no taste of the life-giving stream;
And high hopes, as though to mock our sadness,
Fade and die as in some fitful dream,
"Who shall hush the weary spirit's chiding?
Who the aching void within shall fill?
Who shall whisper of a peace abiding,
And each surging billow calmly still?
"Only He whose wounded heart was broken
With the bitter cross and thorny crown;
Whose dear love glad words of Joy had spoken,
Who His life for us laid meekly down.
"Blessed Healer, all our burdens lighten;
Give us peace, Thine own sweet peace, we pray!
Keep us near Thee till the morn shall brighten,
And all the mists and shadows flee away!"
