The lament of the people of Israel was loud and long. Why are we suffering so severely? War, famine, and destruction - and we are Your people! It began to dawn on them that they had no one to blame but themselves. Sin, injustice, and idolatry had been prominent in their collective life, and now they were suffering the consequences. But the people still hoped in God, and God must be obeyed. The current chaos and destruction of our world bear striking similarities. All nations must return to God.

In the parable of today, Jesus is the Sower, who scatters the good seeds of the Word widely, abundantly, and generously to all. We are the good seeds. However, there are also bad seeds scattered throughout the field of God which is the world. They grow among us, and may look like us. Only at the end of time will these be separated. In the meanwhile, we live together. On our part, we must stick to God's Word that's in each of us, and be strong to live out God's Word in spite of challenges. Like the people of Israel in the past, we still have to hope in the Lord.