What is the condition of your heart?  Jesus speaks about four kinds of heart in one of the parables he told.  Each one he compares to a different soil – one is hard, another is shallow, another thorn infested, and the last is good soil.  We often call this story, ‘The Parable of the Sower’, although Jesus’ main focus is the soil!

 

Let’s look at the shallow soil.  As the farmer throws his seed across the ground some falls on soil that is very shallow.  Rock is just under the surface.  It is surprising how much of the ground in Israel really is rocky. Those listening to Jesus tell this story must have been nodding their heads.

 

When seed falls on shallow soil like this it may begin to grow, but as soon as it gets too hot, the tiny plants shrivel up as they can’t send their roots down deep enough to get water.  What is Jesus saying about people like this?  “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.” 

 

‘What a wonderful response,’ you may be thinking.  However, this is followed by a ‘but’!  “But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

 

How sad!  Yes, the person wants to follow Jesus but only lasts a little while.  They find it difficult when opposition comes to dig down deep and draw strength from the Holy Spirit, the Living Water, and they give up.  ‘It’s too hard to be a Christian’, they declare, ‘It doesn’t work for me.’  ‘Why did God allow this?’

 

Have you ever thought this?  Have you also felt like giving up?  God is speaking to Paul and says, “For my power is made perfect in weakness.”  That is true for all of us.  We are all weak and can only live the Christian life in His strength. The supply of Living Water is never going to run out, but we need to dig down deep in faith to receive it. Do that today!