We sow the seed. God sends the rain.

Published about 16 hours ago • 3 min read

Hi Reader,

1. A quick word from Zach

Lately I’ve been wrestling with that knife-edge tension between my work and God’s work – how hard I should push, and while balancing the ever-present need to trust the harvest to Him. Isaiah 30:23 has been re-anchoring my heart in that tension.

2. Something worth reading

Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World, especially the tenth scroll, “Pray to God for Guidance,” is a short, story-driven meditation on taking daily action while consciously depending on God for direction and outcomes.

3. Something worth thinking about

“

And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous.

~ Isaiah 30:23

A quick note about Scriptures like the one above. Context absolutely matters. Isaiah 30 is addressed to the nation of Israel and is a call to repentance. As He so often does, God provides a very gracious promise - that He will give the increase to their obedience.

The point of quoting scriptures like this one is not that we necessarily appropriate the promise, but rather that we recognize the principle. And this principle is scattered all over scripture: God is the one who actually brings about fruitfulness. It's one of those great mysteries and tensions between man's responsibility and God's sovereignty.

That's all for now.

P.S. If today's issue of Dear Sam blessed you or challenged you, would you forward it along to a brother who might need to hear it as well?

To thriving,

Zach Wise

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What is "Dear Sam", anyway? This column started with a real person — a friend and client named Sam. I write each issue with him in mind, and with you in mind, too.

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