Psalm 72:12-16

12For He will deliver the needy when he cries,
The poor also, and him who has no helper.
13He will spare the poor and needy,
And will save the souls of the needy.
14He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;
And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
15And He shall live;
And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him;
Prayer also will be made for Him continually,
And daily He shall be praised.
16There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
On the top of the mountains;
Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
-Psalm 72:12-16

When we see grain in Scripture, a little light bulb should go off for us where we think of the word of God. Often we see grain testify of His word throughout Scripture. There are famines that are absent of the word of God. There are times of abundance flowing in God's word. As believers, we should seek to discover where the Lord blesses with such abundance. In seasons of disobedience with Israel is when we would see the biggest famines. In times of obedience we would see abundance. While this is rather simple in it of itself, I would like to take it a step deeper. What caused the seasons of obedience and disobedience?

These seasons were entirely dependent upon their desperation for the Lord. Any time Israel was doing well and they trusted in their own walls, military prowess, or wealth they would fall away. Any time they recognized that they were destitute from the Lord and cried out for Him they were blessed with abundance. As I consider such realities I think of the beatitudes that Jesus spoke on the Sermon on the Mount. Read through these and think of the attitude that we must have toward the Lord.

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
-Matt. 5:3-12