Listen, and hear my voice; Pay attention, and hear my speech. Do those who plow for sowing plow continually? Do they continually open and harrow their ground? When they have leveled its surface, do they not scatter dill, sow cummin, and plant wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and spelt as the border? For they are well instructed: their God teaches them.

Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cummin; but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cummin with a rod. Grain is crushed for bread but one does not thresh it forever; one drives the cart wheel and horses over it, but does not pulverize it. This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.

Isaiah 28:23-29

Hardship can bring about our growth. We can learn from pain. Pain is not pointless. God works in measured and well-timed ways, he handles delicate crops with care and others more vigorously, but always with a sure harvest in view. God’s dealings with us are always thoughtful and purposeful, and will produce righteousness.

When you trust in God,

pain is an opportunity for progress.

Our Daily Bread – November 17, 2004