Daily Devotion – July 11, 2020 – The Rev. Mary Leigh Boyd Hovland

“We Plow the Fields and Scatter” (ELW 681)

1 We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand,
who sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

Refrain
All good gifts around us are sent from heav’n above.
We thank you, Lord, we thank you, Lord, for all your love.

2 You only are the maker of all things near and far.
You paint the wayside flower, you light the evening star.
The winds and waves obey you, by you the birds are fed;
much more to us, your children, you give our daily bread.

Refrain

3 We thank you, our creator, for all things bright and good,
the seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer for all your love imparts,
but what you most would treasure—our humble, thankful hearts.

Refrain

Devotion

As I attended a relative’s funeral, I listened to his son tell of the glory of God in his father’s life: Norman had been a faithful farmer, a good steward of God’s land and of God’s word. One summer the sunshine and rain had been abundant, and now the harvest was just days away. Father and son stood at the edge of the field admiring the bountiful crop and thanking God for this beautiful field.

That evening dark clouds, thunder, rain, and hail came and flattened the beautiful crop to level ground. As the son spoke of regret and loss, wondering where the yearly income would come from, Norman said, “God has provided for us in the past. God will provide for us now.”

Norman got it right. God is the one who waters the land, and God is also the one who nourishes our thirsty souls, in both our joys and sorrows. To God be the glory.

Prayer

God of grace, of power, of plenty: Thank you for your life-giving word that brings abundant life to all people. Continue to shower us with your word. Open our eyes to see opportunities to share it. Amen.