Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows

There’s a scene from “Where the Red Fern Grows” that always gets to me.

Billy is telling his grandpa how badly he wants dogs. He says, “I don’t think God wants me to have dogs ‘cause I’ve been asking Him for ‘em for years, and I still ain’t got no dogs.”

His grandpa wisely tells him that maybe he’s not doing his fair share. Maybe he needs to use discipline and meet God halfway.

Billy responds: “I don’t want discipline; I want dogs!”

And don’t we all?

We want all the benefits that come from a relationship with Christ, but are we willing to do our part?

I heard a sermon this morning about Hezekiah, when he was surrounded by 180,000+ ready to tear him and his people apart. Their leader said to Hezekiah’s people “Don’t let him convince you that his God will help you!”

That night a single angel destroyed the entire army. All 180,000.

When Hezekiah was confronted by the enemy at his gate, he immediately had the faith to turn to God and ask for his mighty hand to help. The pastor pointed out this morning that Hezekiah didn’t develop enough faith in that moment. It wasn’t when the enemy approached that his faith grew to giant proportions to believe in an act of God to deliver him and his people. He had been building that faith for years.

He had spent time in the Word, in worship, in prayers SO THAT when the enemy approached, his faith was ready.

We ask for faith in the moment we need it. When crisis strikes.

But are we meeting God halfway in the meantime?

Are we building our faith? Are we seeking His voice and guidance in His Word? Are we talking to Him in prayer and asking for His protection?

Because the enemy will come. He is seeking.

When he comes to your gate, what will he find?

Will your faith be ready? Will it already be equipped with God’s promises?

Or will you find yourself seeking? Seeking for comfort from a God whose voice you haven’t learned? A whisper from a Spirit you haven’t discerned yet?

Are you meeting him halfway?

Billy went to work to save up money for dogs. Not only did he get two dogs, he got the two best dogs in the county.

And he also got gifts for his family.

Maybe when our faith grows, it doesn’t just bless us. Maybe it also allows our faith to be a blessing to others too.

Do you just want the dogs? Or are you willing to develop discipline?

But I have a secret… what might begin as a discipline becomes a delight.

What might begin as a safeguard can become a salve to your wounds.

Just let it begin. If you try to meet Him halfway, I can assure you, He will beat you to the half.

He’s waiting for you. Take the first step to build your faith. And prepare to be met by a God who loves you SO much He’s willing and able to send a single angel to defeat an entire army on your behalf.

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