It doesn't seem long ago when Karen and I and the boys were on the farm. Farm life was good and I loved it. But farm life is different from regular life in that a farm community's life is so often based on the future, on an uncertain tomorrow. But that life, while based on uncertainty, has to be lived out in a positive hope-filled today.
Let me explain this because it represents what I want to teach but I'm sure it isn't clear yet. A farmer goes and spends a small fortune on seed. [This summer we met a farmer in Kansas who spent $40,000.00 on seed for just one field.] That farmer takes that seed and he plants it into the ground. From that time on he has to hope that rain, or sun, devastating hail or plagues of insects do not destroy that field. What a huge gamble it is! But if you talk to the farmer and his humble family they will talk about the crop that they will harvest as though it were already totally grown and at the market. They base their family income on the hope, not the certainty, that that seed will bring an acceptable harvest. They plan on the future even though it is not in. The new computer, the mortgage, the new truck, or barn repairs are all coming out of that crop and they are living in the hope that that harvest comes in. "But it isn't even half grown yet", you might say. They are living now while the crop is still just coming up and spending the money hoping the harvest is good tomorrow.
That is risky business but it's an example of a biblical truth about 'praise.' That farmer is grateful even before the crop is in. He is talking about what he will do before the crop has even gone to market. His hope and future is being talked out even before the reapers have hit the field. It is his 'faith talk'. He is grateful that it is coming, it is going to fill the trucks, it is going to prosper them and bring securty.
What person announces gratefulness before the thing to be greateful for has even come? Who gives thanks for something before it has even arrived? What army goes to battle singing the victory song before the battle has been won, or what soldier says to his wife we will do this and that with the spoils from our coming victory!
It seems to me that the farmers big hopes and gratefullness or the army singing the victory song before the battle are all out of order. But they aren't, it is their 'faith talk.' Shouldn't you win the battle before the band plays on? Shouldn't you have the harvest money before you begin to think of spending the money? But the farmer, or soldier or the army gave thanks for what they were about to receive. They are wearing their 'faith talk.' Their gratitude springs forth before the blessing had arrive, in an expression of trust that it was certainly on its way. Their 'faith talk' is the exact opposite of the groans of wavering faith and the complaints of discouraged hearts. The 'faith talk' goes before the miracle!
Praising is actually the most vital thing you can do if you are trusting for a miracle! You need to sing God's praise even before the miracle. You need to be grateful even before the thing has arrived.
So many things God does comes out of our 'faith talk.' If you need a miracle today begin to put on your 'faith talk,' and praise God and trust God and live knowing and believing your harvest, victory or spoils are on their way. Even though you see nothing that resembles an answer, praise Him because God responds to your ''faith talk' called praise!
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