The Upper Room Daily Devotional "The Seed of Faith" Saturday, 1 March 2014 - Read Isaiah 35:1-6

The Upper Room Daily Devotional "The Seed of Faith" Saturday, 1 March 2014 - Read Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad.
    The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
2 It will blossom abundantly,
    and rejoice even with joy and singing.
    Lebanon’s glory will be given to it,
    the excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
    They will see Yahweh’s glory,
    the excellence of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
    and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong.
    Don’t be afraid.
    Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution.
    He will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
    and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
6 Then the lame man will leap like a deer,
    and the tongue of the mute will sing;
    for waters will break out in the wilderness,
    and streams in the desert.
It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.--Philippians 2:13 (NRSV)
When I was a student at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, I sowed some seeds on campus. I chose one particular area where nothing grew, not even weeds, because there was never sufficient water or enough sunlight. I was told I was wasting my time, but little by little, plant growth became visible. Several years have gone by since I left. But when I visit the seminary, I now see strong and healthy plants on campus. This experience inspires me in my role as a pastor of a small church. When the congregation is faced with challenges, I remember that God has not given up on the task of cultivating the seed of faith in me. Rather, God encourages me to work harder on the small and the large projects entrusted to me. Maybe it wasn’t I who chose the seemingly barren spot for my seminary garden; maybe it was God who chose it, in order to show me how, with patience and love, my ministry would bear fruit. By God’s grace I continue serving God and God’s people. God has much work for each of us to do and continues to call us to grow in our faith.--The Author-Wilma A. Quinonez Cubero (Puerto Rico)
Thought for the Day: Where we may see only weeds, God sees a beautiful garden.
Prayer: Creator God, teach us how to live and work for the good of your people and your creation. Amen.
Prayer focus: Seminary students
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