In the Orchard

False Prophets

            I grew slowly, it felt. It was a few months before I reached two feet tall. That’s when I began to itch. I didn’t know what caused it, but I did know it was irritating, and I also didn’t feel well or healthy. I told the Farmer, and He told me I had insects eating at my stalk. I begged Him to take them away, and He did. He showed them to me. They were so small, and the same color as my stem. I couldn’t see them, they blended in so well. I thanked the Farmer for watching me so closely. He smiled and stroked my tender

leaves.

Matthew 7:15~ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Enemies

            It was the end of summer, when the grass was dry, when I learned that the Farmer had enemies. They were devious men. They often came by and mocked me, telling me I was a worthless shoot. At first I believed them and was afraid of the Farmer. When the Farmer saw this, He told me I was precious. The enemy desired to discourage me. I believed Him and I shunned the evil men. But they began to come into the orchard and pluck my leaves. The Farmer would scare them away, and He posted warning signs, but still they came. One dark night, they set fire to the dead grass at my roots. I was terrified! My bark grew hot and then caught fire! It would be a slow death because I was green. Alas, the Farmer came! He poured water on me, the Living Water. We both rejoiced. He was constantly watching me. A few days later, when the Farmer was tending the other trees, the enemy crept in again, this time with a sharp gleaming ax. I shuddered as he struck my thin trunk. I was surprised I was not sliced in two with that one blow. I braced myself to die. But the Farmer pushed the enemy away from me. He destroyed the enemy, and burned the deadly weapon in a hot fire. I was safe.

1 Corinthians 15:25-26~ “For He must reign until He has put all

His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”