The Fruit Of Their Doings

After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: Ah Lord GOD! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. You show steadfast love to the thousandth generation, but repay the guilt of parents into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed; whose eyes are open to all the ways of mortals, rewarding all according to their ways and according to the fruit of their doings. You showed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all humankind, and have made yourself a name that continues to this very day. You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arms, and with great terror; and you gave them this land, which you swore to their ancestors to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or follow your law; of all you commanded them to do, they did nothing. Therefore you have made all these disasters come upon them. See, the siege ramps have been cast up against the city to take it, and the city, faced with sword, famine, and pestilence, has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has happened, as you yourself can see. Yet you, O Lord GOD, have said to me, “Buy the field of money and get witnesses” – though the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 32:16-25

When something big happens – a blessing or a tragedy, we recognize it immediately and respond with praise or pleadings to God. When we find a long-sought-after job, hear of a loved one coming to Christ, or get bad news from the doctor, we think of God and come to Him. The big stuff, which is visible and colorful, is called duff – the partly decayed organic matter of leaves and stocks that covers the forest floor. But if you rake back the duff, you will find all sorts of important little things happening. The soil is rich and dark, and smells of life.

The LORD works similarly with His people. His eyes are on the big issues of life. But He is also at work “under the duff” through our everyday activities, preparing us for the significant tasks He has planned for us.

So when the mundane gets you down, thank God for what’s under the duff.

Eyes of faith see God at work

in everything.

Our Daily Bread –May 17, 2005