Fields of joy

podcast link below:

https://anchor.fm/beth-madison/episodes/Fields-of-joy-e1ch96o

1 Chronicles 16:32b let the fields and their crops burst with joy!

This soil scientist is just about to burst with joy after reading that verse because of what’s detailed in it. It’s not just the crops, their fruits, or the people harvesting and eating their yield bursting with joy like we can see in Psalm 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. It’s the fields themselves called to burst with joy! Even the fullness and abundance of the crops and their yield is far beyond gratitude, but then for the fields themselves to burst with joy! Hallelujah, Jesus, hallelujah! You have refreshed this soil scientist with a new joy today with this verse!

Scripture tells us if we fail to praise, the rocks will cry out (see Luke 19:40). Yet this hidden rock-solid declaration in 1 Chronicles was said long before this truth was proclaimed in Luke. And the depth of that declaration is like a victory cry given to and then given out by the soil underneath our feet. In turn, this soil under our feet calls out to the soil in our souls to join it in praise to our Magnificent Creator God for the many wonders He did at the beginning of time and does even in this very moment…

on this thought, moving forward…here’s another version of 1 Chronicles 16:32b let the field be joyful and all that is in it.

Stop for a minute.

And hear that verse in your mind again.

Listen.

Focus.

Can you hear the soil humus humming in chorus with the soil microorganisms while the insects living in the soil chirp, buzz, jump, or roll along in harmony? As the earthworms wiggle along in their own complementary key of joy, all of the many soil clay minerals quiver in their crystal structures like a marching band in formation with the water molecules keeping time alongside. Joy bursts from the fields in the music of the tiniest electrons up to the biggest sand particles. Each participant playing a different role with all participants essential for the fields to burst with joy. Everyone in the field worshipping together in a song heard only by their Creator.  

For their Creator not only spoke the water, soil, rocks, microbes, and everything in between into being and into time long ago, but He sustains them now so the joy is bursting. He is keeping just the right harmonics of atomic vibrations in their crystal structures while commanding the rocks to separate into individual particles. Then He adds the organic matter teeming with life to them for new soil to be birthed. He knows each microbe and macrobe by name, not just by kingdom, genus, or family, but as specific individuals with purpose, placement, and position.

And if He does that with soil particles, sparrows, and their songs and sonnets, how much more does He do the same for me here and now?

Each soil particle, molecule, atom, and proton looks to Creator God for direction. And in the doing, they show me how to worship – to burst with joy here in the place my Good God has put me. Not looking past the now in the hope of a not-yet I’ve dreamed of or tried to design. But here now in this field.

And here I can find joy if I but stop to listen, focus, delight, and wonder in the beauty of the soil underneath my feet bursting up in joy and joining in worship with the soil of my soul now dusted off, plowed up, and ready to receive the waters of renewal and restoration from my Creator God Who has a plan for good for the now and the not-yet.

Deuteronomy 8: 7-10 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.      

Idea for bringing joy today:

If you’re able, take some to wander and wonder in the fields, woods, or a park nearby. Leave your electronics at home (or silenced in your pocket, purse, or backpack). Try and put your tongue and mind on silent as well. Start your wandering with a short prayer and see what Scripture comes to mind as you walk, sit, or meander along. Then, intentionally meditate on the verse(s) in your mind and be on the lookout for joy to erupt from your soul as it joins with the joy bursting up from the soil underneath your feet.

Reflection prayer:

Dear Father God,

Thank You that You have carefully made and placed every single piece of creation. Thank You that You are always sustaining and giving joy in all circumstances. Thank You that You reveal wonder and delight from the tiniest to the biggest pieces of Your creation. Please help me to stop and to delight in Your Presence and in the place You have put me today. Please satisfy me with a fresh faith to keep trusting You that all of Your ways are always best.

In the strong Name of Jesus,

Amen.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2021.

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