All of us Californians are aware that we are in a severe drought, but our farmers know this firsthand. I read a parable recently about two farmers who were in desperate need of rain. They both went to the Lord and cried out for Him to send rain. However, only one of the farmers, after he prayed, went out and prepared his fields, expecting the rain to come.

Which farmer do you think truly trusted God to send the rain? Yes, you guessed right; it was the farmer who took action after he prayed. Faith is an action word. Faith requires you to step out and stand on the word that God has spoken to us. God’s word tells us in Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

But after we hear from God, then we must act on that word. A wonderful example of this is found when Jesus healed the paralytic man in Capernaum.

Mark 2:2-5, 11-12 “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Jesus saw faith in the actions these friends took and then, forgave this paralytic man’s sins and made him completely whole. What action(s) is God asking you to take based on the Word He has spoken to you in prayer? Is your field prepared for the rain?

Lord Jesus, please help us today to take action and prepare for the rains that are coming, those heavenly answers to the prayers we have prayed and the desires of our heart. Help us to not only hear, but to obey. Help us truly partner with You, the author and finisher of our faith. Amen