“And some [seed] fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended” (Mark 4:5-6, 16-17).
We’ve all seen these “stony ground” people. They come to hear the Word of God, and they get really excited about it. They say, “Oh, man, this is so good! I’ve been looking for this for years!”
But these people are also “have-hearders.” They don’t settle down and continue to hear the Word. Therefore, the Word they’ve heard never really takes root in them.
The minute persecution and affliction come along for the Word’s sake (and they will), these people stop hearing the Word and start hearing the persecution and affliction. In six months, we wonder where they are. They’ve just blown away with the wind.
When I first found out that by Jesus’ stripes I was healed, I said, “Thank God, I’ll never be sick a day in my life again!” Then I spent the next six weeks battling all kinds of symptoms!
As soon as you get a revelation in the Word, the thief will try to steal that away through persecution and affliction. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up saying, “Well, I tried that, and it didn’t work.”
Jesus said these people endure only for a short time because they have no root in themselves. (v. 17.) How does God’s Word take root in us? By our hearing and hearing. What we hear on a regular basis is what bears fruit in our lives.
I attend to God’s Word, so it is rooted and grounded
in my heart. When symptoms attack my body, His
Word rises up in me to heal, strengthen and comfort me.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.