Eat What Is Good
At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen. Isaiah 60:22b (NKJV)
When I see a fig tree, it brings back fond memories of my grandmother. I remember her climbing into the fig tree in our neighbour's backyard in search of figs for her fig preserve, which she loved making and eating. She would go in search of firm, immature green figs. Once she had gathered enough figs, she would soak them overnight in salt to tenderise them and remove the white milky sap that oozes out when they are not yet ripe. She would then cook them slowly in a ginger-infused sugar syrup with cinnamon and lemon juice. After a couple of hours, a sticky-sweet fig preserve would be produced.
The unripe figs my grandmother used for her fig preserve were exactly what she needed, but they were not ready to be enjoyed yet. Unripe figs are unpalatable and generally don't ripen well once picked. They have a bitter, rubbery taste, and the milky white sap can be harmful to your skin.
Fruit of Patience
The ripe and unripe figs remind me of the prayers we pray to God for His provision in our lives. When we pray, God wants to give us the best that He has for us. He wants to give us what He has ordained for us. But it may mean that we need to wait on Him to release his provision in His appointed time. This will mean that we will have to exercise an important fruit of the Spirit – Patience (Galatians 5:22). Exercising patience is difficult for many of us, especially when we’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity for God to answer our prayers. We become weary of waiting. We even doubt that God will ever come through for us, and we try to figure out a way to “manipulate” the outcome of our prayer by relying on our own wisdom, instead of trusting Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
When we lean on our own understanding, we forfeit God’s wisdom. We become impatient. We end up picking unripe fruit that is unpalatable. Fruit that seems good and attractive, but will leave a bitter taste in our mouths. And may even be harmful to us. Whatever it is that we are waiting on - a new job, a new home, a spouse, the right school for our children, a dream to come to fruition, or a new business opportunity- let us put our trust in the Lord. Let us wait on Him for the best He has for us so that our souls can delight in His delicious, ripe fruit. So that our souls can delight in His abundance.
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2b (NIV)
Reflection:
Are you growing tired of waiting on the Lord? Put your trust in His timing to bless you with His best.
Prayer:
Lord. You see my weariness and impatience. Help me to be patient and wait on Your provision. Help me to trust You to give me Your best. In Jesus’ name, amen.
