Morning Devotional

February 10, 2004

"Oak Tree and Pumpkin Patches" 

by Don Emmitte

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My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, for they will give you a long and satisfying life. Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. (Proverbs 3:1-7 NLT).

An old poem describes a woman walking through a meadow, meditating on nature. While strolling about, she came upon a field of golden pumpkins. In the corner of the field stood a majestic, huge oak tree. She sat under the oak tree musing on the strange twists in nature, which put tiny acorns on huge branches and huge pumpkins on tiny vines. She thought to herself, "God blundered with Creation! He should have put the small acorns on the tiny vines and the large pumpkins on the huge branches." Nodding off, the woman stretched out under the oak tree for a nap. A few minutes after falling asleep a tiny acorn bouncing off her nose awakened her. Chuckling to herself, she rubbed her nose and thought, "Maybe God was right after all!"  

I was amused when I read this little story the first time, then I began to think of the implications. I wonder how many times God has proven to us that he is right about our lives? I wonder how many times we have neglected to follow God’s direction for us and received the same results in life? Perhaps it is because when we are faced with the absolute truth of God’s direction, we still question it with “Maybe God was right after all!” That statement is funny in a story, but tragic as a philosophy of life! Trust in God is the only sure means to success.  

Whenever the Lord assigns us a difficult task, He gives us what we need to carry it out. John Wesley wrote, “Among the many difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles often said, ‘If the Lord would give me wings, I’d fly.’ I used to answer, ‘If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings.’”

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him, He is ever faithful,
Trust Him, for his will is best,
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.