02/16/2022
As Christians we are like wheat during the harvest. We are thrashed along with the chaff and the straw to separate us from them, then with the winnowing fork we are tossed into the air where the same strong wind blows through us all, and we are separated. We the grain, being heavier, falls to the floor to be gathered, while the chaff and straw are blown away, and are raked to be burned… yet none of the parts are spared the process, the thrashing, the winnowing, or the wind. As grains of wheat we must endure the same trials as the refuse which will eventually be burned. In this way we will be separated from it, placed in sacks for safe keeping, and stored away to be made into loaves for the Lord.
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.””
Matthew 3:12 ESV
In the end we are precious to the Lord, and separated for His use; we are made holy by His hand, and are destined to be an eternal nourishment for His children. But those parts who were separated from us, and have been blown away by the wind, are pursued and burned.
“Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!”
Psalm 35:5-6 ESV
It is the same in a military boot camp where young men and women of every description come together. They are all issued the same uniforms, billeted in the same barracks, and fed the same meals, but then the trashing, winnowing, and the strong winds of the storm begin. For weeks they endure great hardship as they are forced to suffer blisters by running long distances, exercise until they drop, and are tormented verbally, and mentally. Over the course of these weeks the strong are gathered up together, but the weaker are blown asunder, and as the wind grows in intensity, they become separated, and scattered. The grain and the chaff are thus separated.
The wheat, the soldiers, and those of faith, all face the same trials together until the wind finally separates the acceptable from those who are not. The word Holy means dedicated, sanctified, or separated unto God, but the process is not an easy one, and the baking sun and drenching rain is suffered by the just and the unjust alike, while the wind blows.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:44-45 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the trials that separate the righteous from the unrighteous and the wheat from the chaff. Thank you Lord for the strong wind that blows away the refuse from your harvest, and allows you to gather up the grain for your eternal storehouses. Help us to remain strong, and not to complain when the thrashing, winnowing, and strong winds come because not all that grows in the field is suitable for your table. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who separates us to be used for your purposes. Praised be your name as we fall to the floor before you, and feel your hand upon us as it gathers us up. Merciful are you who saves us from the fire, and prepared us to be offered as the bread, and body, of Christ. Your grace is sufficient for us Lord, and the living water of Jesus mixes with us to form the dough that undergoes the perfect kneading of your hand, and is formed into loaves suitable your oven, and the consumption of your holy household. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and cleanse us of all sin, because sin is much like yeast that leaven’s the entire lump of dough from a tiny portion. See in us the perfect image of Jesus, and count us worthy in Him. Call us your children, and summon us to your eternal table where we will dine forevermore.
“O my threshed and winnowed one, what I have heard from the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I announce to you.”
Isaiah 21:10 ESV
Rich Forbes