Soap Devotion - Straw or Grain?

Scripture: Jer. 23:28

‘Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain? Declares the Lord.

Observation:

The Lord is addressing the diverse difference between what is nurtured, prized and delivered by man, compared to what God declares and what His Word produces. He asks the question what has straw to do with grain? The observation is He likens the dreams of men to straw and his Word to grain. Straw is something you cannot eat, nor will it bring life or sustain it. Whereas grain does sustain life and it can be reproduced beyond itself. The comparison was definite to make the strong differention between what was of man and what was of God. There seemed to be so much being presented from men and the prophets as if it was from God. As such the people were lacking a sense of direction and even worse distorting and misrepresenting the impact and power of any word from God. It wasn’t that the sharing of men’s dreams was to be discouraged. The issue was that these dreams were not to be confused with or to be presented as being the Word of God. It seems that in the confusion and compromise of men putting forward their dreams the true word from God had lost its clarity and command.

Application:

My personal challenge is to differentiate between what is ‘straw’ and what is ‘grain.’ The importance of hearing and knowing what is the word from God and then acting upon it faithfully. I know there can be so much ‘straw’ around. I have dreams and ideas that can easily excite and motivate me. I listen to others who share their dreams and insights on many things. These dreams and ideas are no doubt good, and worthwhile in their aspiration. There is a wisdom though that I need to know what is ‘straw’ and what is ‘grain.’ I know when it is ‘grain’ then it is going to bring life into situations and then reproduce powerfully beyond itself. Where as to act on something that is ‘straw’ it may be useful, practical serve a purpose, but has no long term impact or reproduction.

Prayer:

Lord help me to know the difference between ‘straw’ and ‘grain.’ In the busyness of life and the clutter of dreams and ideas that are continually going on around and within me, help me to hear your Word. I want to act on your word that does reproduce life. I thank you for the dreams and ideas you stir, but let me know the difference and not confuse them with your word.

Ken Hooper