For Thy Sake

As children we were told that we got spankings for our benefit.  "I want you to know that this is going to hurt me a lot more than it will hurt you..." goes the saying as the father takes out a paddle.  I never believed it -- however, now I have a different perspective.

God told Adam, after he ate the fruit, "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee... In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat..." (Genesis 3:17-19)

Adam would get a spanking for his disobedience.  He would go hungry. He would not always get a harvest. He would work hard to prepare the ground and plant, but the rains would sometimes hold back and only weeds would grow.

I believe the term, "for thy sake," means "for your benefit." There was something about the fall of Adam that required him to have sorrow, grow thorns and thistles, and to sweat. He needed that in order to return to God. God cursed the ground to help him.

Cursed

I have been in a long time of planting and not seeing much growth. I try and try. I know the Lord has led me here, but my ground won't produce abundantly, in spite of all my efforts. I have gotten lots of "thorns and thistles" for all my sweat.

The curse has helped me to see that it isn't really through my efforts that I have anything. I know for sure that I don't effect the changes in my status, either financially or otherwise. I can surely testify with Ammon, "I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12)

The Apostle Paul expressed the same sentiment, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:11-13) He knew how to take the bad with the good. He would be content with little, or much. He knew where his strength came from -- and it wasn't his own arm.

Blessed

However, through it all I have had sufficient for my needs. I have been able to do many other things such as travel, be with my children, build a really nice home, and so forth. The Lord has blessed my efforts, and has filled my needs.

I now understand in my heart the reality that Job expressed, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)

It is the Lord that gives, and He takes away. Neither come through our own efforts. Blessedness is knowing that we are dependent on God. King Mosiah summarized the way to happiness in his speech to his people:

I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41)

 

The curse is the blessing

The Lord cursed the ground of the Earth where Adam would dwell so that he could learn about his dependence on God. Without the contrast of the presence of God to understand our own nothingness, Adam and his children would assume that by our own power we obtain the things of the world -- and Heaven.

It is interesting to note that those who are not inclined to seek the Lord remain oblivious to their dependence on Him. They assume they have made all they have, and that they should enjoy the fruits of their labors. The ground is not cursed, it brings forth abundantly.

However, when one decides to follow the Lord, they get blessed with curses. This concept is so eloquently taught by the Lord to Moroni, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness." (Ether 12:27) It is only when people desire to know the Lord that they will become aware of their weakness.

It is the Lord that gives weakness, and He has a purpose in doing so: "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

I know that I am nothing. I know that my own efforts are a drop in the bucket of God's blessings. I know that I am weak. I see my weakness. I know I was born naked, and I will leave just as naked. In between, I will be content with whatever the Lord gives to me, whether I live in want or plenty. I am so grateful that He "cursed my ground" and planted me in a poor spot of His garden. I am thankful for the "thorns and thistles." I have truly been blessed by His curse! I know He did it for my sake.