Sowing in Time of Drought

What’s your situation today? Are you experiencing a time of drought? Is it drought in terms of finance, physical health, family relationships, your spiritual relationship with God (does He seem far from you?), lack of employment or a job you find draining or unproductive, or lack of opportunity to use your God-given gifts? Drought can cover so many areas of our lives.

If we were to follow human reasoning we might choose to give up, to rage against God or our employers, to fall into depression or to seek to rely on ourselves to change things for the better. At a time when the land was ravaged by drought year after year, when no crops were growing, and the people were starving, Isaac decided to plant crops. Surely this would be an utter waste of time, effort and resources. Yet, when he sowed in faith, he reaped a hundredfold. I’ve noticed a few things from these verses I’d like to share with you.

Firstly, God didn’t tell him to sow. Isaac wasn’t waiting for a specific word. Perhaps you are. Instead he chose to believe God’s promise that He would bless him if he stayed where he was, rather than seek the obvious human solution of moving out, and going to a place where there was plenty. If God tells you to stay, then stay. If you stay, then you’re to sow where you are, despite the conditions you’re in, and of those around you. Sow, despite the apparent foolishness of seeing your seed drop on to dry and barren earth, and wait for the miracle of God.

Secondly, Isaac had seen his father Abraham sow in times of plenty and in times of need, and reap a harvest every time. Isaac was sowing beyond his circumstances with a desire to change his circumstances. He sowed not just in hope, but in faith, believing that God was able and willing to change everything. He didn’t wait until the conditions changed; he sowed so that the conditions would change. Isaac knew nothing was going to change unless and until he sowed.

We mustn’t look at the circumstances around us. We mustn’t sow seed in accordance with what we see with our natural eyes. By sowing in faith, Isaac changed not only his situation but also the conditions of his land and the land of the neighboring region (see Genesis 26:14). Planting your seed moves the hand of God. God is ready to change your conditions. God’s simply waiting for us to step out and release the seed from our hand, no matter what the amount is. He wants to bless us beyond measure. So, give Him your seed today. Give Him something to use—seed to bless you, and to bless others around you. Believe Him for your breakthrough.

Prayer: Oh Lord, You know what type of drought I’m experiencing at the moment, and how long it’s lasted. I choose to trust in You alone and sow what’s in my hand – acts of love, words of kindness, deeds of service, time spent with those in need, time in prayer, encouraging others, restoring relationships. Whatever ‘seed’ I have that’s in my power to sow, I choose to do so now, gladly and freely, knowing You will bring forth a harvest for Your glory, Amen.