Barley

[Moses speaking] “’All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess this land which the Lord swore to give to your forefathers. 

“’You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

“’He humbled you and let you be hungry and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

“’Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.  Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.  Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

“’For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.’” Deuteronomy 8:1-9

“But He answered and said, ‘it is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

There are several grains mentioned in the Bible and barley is one that is a nutritional surprise.  Although a small seed, it is packed with an unusual amount of nourishment – especially when pounded into flour. 

Remember this when you are feeling small and helpless in the scheme of God’s plan -- when all you have to offer seems insignificant -- no matter what your stature, age, health, station, education, location, amount of faith or obedience, God can and does use you for His purposes to accomplish powerful things for His glory and your good -- when you are refined like flour. 

Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.