In The Hay - Field

Introduction Observe how God “causes the grass to grow for the cattle” (Psalm 104:14, ESV). In every blade of grass, He works, sustains, and provides. Let us open our eyes to His care, and respond by trusting Him fully, knowing He nourishes all who depend on Him.

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle.” — Psalm 104:14 (ESV) At the appointed season all the world is busy with gathering the grass crop, and you can scarcely ride a mile in the country without breathing the delicious fragrance of the new-mown hay and hearing the mower's scythe being sharpened. There is a gospel in the hay-field, and that gospel we intend to bring out as we may be enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Our text brings us immediately to the place, and so we need no preface. “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle” — three things we shall notice: first, that grass is in itself instructive; secondly, that grass is far more so when God is seen in it; and thirdly, that by the growth of grass for the cattle, the ways of grace may be illustrated.

First, then, “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle.” Here we have something that is in itself instructive. Hardly any symbol, apart from water and light, is used more often in Scripture than the grass of the field.

In the first place, the grass may be looked at instructively as a symbol of our mortality. “All flesh is grass.” The whole history of man can be seen in a meadow. He springs up green and tender, subject to the frosts of infancy that threaten his young life; he grows, he comes to maturity, he puts on beauty just as the grass is adorned with flowers; but after a while his strength goes and his beauty becomes wrinkled, just as the grass withers and is followed by a fresh generation that withers in its turn. Like ourselves, the grass ripens only to decay. The sons of men come to maturity in due time, and then decline and wither like the green herb.

Some grass is not left to come to ripeness at all, but the mower’s scythe removes it, just as swift- footed death overtakes the careless children of Adam. “For all flesh is as grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.” — Isaiah 40:6-7 (ESV) This is very humbling, and we often need to be reminded of it, lest we begin to dream of immortality under the stars. We should never walk on the grass without remembering that while the green sod covers our graves, it also reminds us of them, preaching with every blade a sermon about our mortality, of which the text is, “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.”

Second, grass is often used in Scripture as a picture of the wicked. David tells us from his own experience that the righteous man is prone to grow jealous of the wicked when he sees the prosperity of the ungodly. We have seen them spread themselves out like green trees, seemingly fixed and rooted in their places; and when we have smarted under our own troubles, feeling that all day long we have been beaten and disciplined every morning, we have been inclined to ask, “How can this be consistent with the righteous government of God?” We are reminded by the Psalmist that in a short time we shall pass by the place of the wicked, and see that he is not there; we shall carefully look for his place, and see that it is no longer known; for he is soon cut down like grass, and withers like the green herb.

“But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.

‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” — Isaiah 57:20-21 (ESV) The grass withers, the flower fades away, and in the same way the glory of those who place their confidence in temporal things and dig for comfort in the treasures of the earth will pass away forever. As the Eastern farmer gathers up the green herb and, despite its former beauty, throws it into the furnace, such shall be your lot, O boastful sinners! Thus the Judge will command his angels, “Bind them in bundles to burn.”

“So these will I destroy with the people, and they will be included in the nethermost parts of the pit, and your name will be forgotten in the grave…” — Psalm 9:17 (ESV) Where now is your merriment? Where now is your confidence? Where now is your pride and your pomp? Where now are your boastings and your loud-mouthed blasphemies?

They are silent forever; for, just as thorns crackle under a pot but are quickly consumed and leave nothing but a handful of ashes, so it will be with the wicked in this life; the fire of God’s wrath shall devour them.

It is more pleasing to remember that grass in Scripture also pictures the elect of God. The wicked are compared to dragons of the wilderness, but God’s own people shall spring up in their place, for it is written, “In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.”

The elect are compared to grass because of their number in the latter days and because of the rapidity of their growth. You remember the passage, “A handful of this [grain] shall become a large cluster, and the large cluster shall become a young plant in the nation.” O that the long- expected day might soon come, when God's people shall no longer be like a lone tuft of grass, but when they shall spring up among the grass, like willows by the watercourses. Grass and willows are two of the fastest growing things we know; so shall a nation be born in a day, and crowds be converted at once. When the Spirit of God is mightily at work in the church, men shall turn to Christ as doves fly to their dove-cotes, so that the astonished church shall exclaim, “Where did these come from?” O that we might live to see the age of gold, the time prophets have foretold, when the company of God’s people shall be countless as blades of grass in the meadows, and grace and truth shall flourish.

How like grass are God’s people for this reason: they are utterly dependent on the influences of heaven. Our fields become dry if spring showers and gentle dew are withheld; and what are our souls without the gracious visitations of the Spirit? Sometimes through severe trials our wounded hearts are like mown grass, and then we have the promise, “He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” Our sharp troubles have taken away our beauty, and then the Lord visits us and we revive again. Thank God for the old saying, which teaches a gracious truth as well as a true proverb, “Each blade of grass has its own drop of dew.” God is pleased to give his own special mercies to each one of his servants: “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

Once again, grass is like the food with which the Lord supplies the needs of his chosen ones. Take the twenty-third Psalm, and you have the image worked out in the sweetest form of pastoral song: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

Just as the sheep has nourishment suited to its nature, and this nourishment is provided in abundance by its shepherd so that it not only feeds but lies down in the midst of the fodder, satisfied with plenty and perfectly at ease, so are the people of God when Jesus Christ leads them into the pastures of the covenant and reveals to them the precious truths upon which their souls are fed.

Beloved, have we not found that promise true, “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined”? My soul has sometimes fed on Christ until I felt I could receive no more, and then I have lain down in the abundance of my God to take my rest, satisfied with his favour and full of the goodness of the Lord.

Thus you see that the grass itself is not without instruction for those who will incline their ear. In the second place, God is seen in the growing of the grass. He is seen first as a worker — “He causes the grass to grow”. He is seen secondly as a caretaker — “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle”.

First, as a worker, God can be seen in every blade of grass if we have eyes to perceive him. The world is blind when it talks about ‘natural laws’ and ‘natural causes’ and forgets that laws cannot operate by themselves, and that so-called natural causes are not causes at all unless the First Cause sets them in motion. The old Romans used to say, God thundered; God rained. We say, it thunders; it rains. What “it”? All such expressions are attempts to avoid the thought of God. We commonly say, “How wonderful are the works of nature!” But what is “nature”? I remember an unbeliever in the street, speaking about nature, being asked by a Christian whether he could define what nature was. He gave no answer. The production of grass is not the result of natural law apart from the actual work of God; mere law would be powerless unless the great Master himself sent the force through the matter that is governed by the law — much like a steam engine that supplies power to all the wheels of a cotton mill. I find rest on the grass as on a royal couch now that I know my God is there at work for his creatures.

Having asked you to see God as a worker, I want you to make use of this — therefore I urge you to see God in everyday things. He makes the grass grow — grass is common. You see it everywhere, yet God is in it. Study it, break it apart; the attributes of God are shown in every single flower of the field and in every green leaf.

In the same way, see God in your everyday experiences — in your daily troubles, your common joys, your regular mercies. Do not say, “I must see a miracle before I see God.” In truth, everything is full of wonder. See God in the bread on your table and the water in your cup. It will be the happiest way to live if in every event you can say, “My Father has done all this.” See God also in small things. The little things of life are often the greatest troubles. A man will hear that his house has burned down more quietly than he will complain when he sees an ill-cooked joint of meat on his table when he expected it to be perfect. It is the little stone in the shoe that makes the pilgrim limp. To see God in small things as well as in the great — to believe that the guidance of every drop of spray when a wave breaks on the rock is under God’s hand, as much as the movement of the mightiest planet in its orbit — all this is true wisdom.

Think also of God working among solitary things; for grass does not grow only where people tend it, but even on the side of the lonely mountain where no traveller has ever been. Where only the eye of a wild bird has seen the green grass and moss, God’s works show their beauty; for God’s works are fair even to eyes other than those of humans. And you, solitary child of God, living unseen and unknown in a remote village — you are not forgotten by the love of heaven. He makes grass grow all alone; shall he not make you flourish despite loneliness? He can develop your graces and prepare you for heaven in solitude and neglect. Grass lies beneath our feet, and nobody thinks of the fact that it is crushed by the foot, yet God makes it grow. Perhaps you are oppressed and worn down, but do not let that depress you, for God executes righteousness for all those who are oppressed: he causes the grass to grow, and he can make your heart flourish under all the pressures and afflictions of life, so that you will still be joyful and holy even if all the world tramples over you, living in the immortal life that God himself gives you, even if hell itself set its heel upon you.

Poor and needy one, unnoticed, oppressed, and trodden down, God makes the grass grow, and he will care for you.

But I said we should see in the text God also as a great caretaker. “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle.” Does God take care of oxen? Or is this only for our sake? “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” That shows that God cares for the beasts of the field; but it shows even more: that he wants those who work for him to be fed as they work. God cares for the cattle and makes grass grow for them. Then, my soul, though sometimes you have said with David, “I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before you,” yet God cares for you.

“He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens when they cry.” There you have an example of God’s care for birds, and here we have his care for cattle; and though you, my listener, may see yourself as black and defiled as a raven and as far from anything spiritually good as beasts are, yet take comfort from this text: he gives grass to cattle, and he will give grace to you, though you think yourself to be like a beast before him.

Notice that he cares for these beasts who are helpless in caring for themselves. The cattle cannot plant the grass or cause it to grow. Though they can do nothing in the matter, yet he does it all for them: he causes the grass to grow. You who are as helpless as cattle to help yourselves, who can only stand and groan in misery yet do not know what to do, God can support you with his loving- kindness and favour you with his tenderness. Let the bleating of your prayers go up to heaven; let the meaning of your desires go up to him, and help will come to you though you cannot help yourselves. Beasts are dumb, speechless creatures, yet God makes the grass grow for them. Will he hear those who cannot speak and not hear those who can? Since our God gives careful attention even to the cattle in the field, he will surely have compassion on his own sons and daughters when they desire to seek his face.

There is this also to be said: God not only cares for cattle, but the food he provides for them is suitable—he causes grass to grow for the cattle, exactly the kind of food ruminants need. In the same way, the Lord God provides appropriate sustenance for his people. Depend on him by faith and wait upon him in prayer, and you will receive food suitable for you. You will find in God’s mercy exactly what your nature requires—provisions matched to your unique needs.

This “suitable” food the Lord ensures for the cattle, for no one else eats the cattle’s food. There is grass for them, and nobody else takes it; it is kept for them. In the same way, God has a special provision for his own people: “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear him, and he will show them his covenant” — Psalm 25:14 (ESV). Though the grass is technically free for anyone to eat, no creature cares for it except the cattle for which it was prepared. Similarly, though God’s grace is freely offered to all, only the elect pay attention and are prepared to receive it. There is as much reserve of the grass for the cattle as if walls enclosed it; likewise, though God’s grace is free, it is effectively reserved for those he has chosen.

God is seen in the grass as both worker and caretaker. Let us then observe his hand in providence at all times. See it not only when we enjoy abundance, but even when our supplies are scant; for grass is preparing for the cattle even in the depth of winter. And you, sons of sorrow, in your trials and troubles, are still under God’s care; he will accomplish his gracious purposes in you. Be still and witness the salvation of God. Every winter’s night connects directly to the joyous days of mowing and reaping; every season of grief is linked to future joy.

Our third point is most interesting: God’s work in providing grass for the cattle gives us illustrations of his grace.

I reflect on the text and say to myself, “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle. Here I see a full provision for that creature. I am also a creature, but nobler than cattle. Surely God will provide for me as well as for them. Yet naturally I feel uneasy: I cannot find what I want in this world. Even if I obtained all its riches, I would still feel discontented; even if I had all my heart could wish of temporal treasures, my soul would remain empty. There must be something somewhere that can satisfy me as a man with an immortal soul. God fully satisfies the ox; he must have something that will fully satisfy me if I receive it. There is the grass; the cattle eat it and then lie down content; all I have found on earth never satisfied me enough to rest fully. Therefore, there must be something that would satisfy me if I could reach it.” Is not this sound reasoning? I ask both Christians and unbelievers to follow me this far.

Let us proceed another step: the cattle not only have the grass provided, but they actually receive it. Why should I not also obtain what I want? My soul hungers and thirsts after something beyond what I can see or hear; there must be something to satisfy my soul. The cattle feed on what satisfies them; why should I not find satisfaction too? I begin to pray, “O Lord, satisfy my soul with good things, and renew my youth like the eagle’s” — Psalm 103:5 (ESV).

While I pray, I reflect: God has provided for cattle what fits their nature—they are flesh, and flesh eats grass. I too am flesh, but also spirit; to satisfy me I need spiritual nourishment. Where is it?

When I turn to God’s Word, I find, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” — Isaiah 40:8 (ESV), and the words Jesus speaks are “spirit and life” — John 6:63 (ESV).

“Here is spiritual food for my soul,” I say; “I will rejoice in it.” O may God help me understand what that spiritual food is and enable me to receive it; for though God provides grass for cattle, they must eat it themselves. If they refuse, they are not nourished. I must imitate the cattle and receive what God provides for me. What is provided in Scripture? I am told that the Lord Jesus came to suffer, bleed, and die in my place, and if I trust him I shall be saved. Being saved, the thoughts of his love will give me solace and joy, strengthening me. What else have I to do but feed on these truths? The cattle bring nothing to the pasture except their hunger; they enter it and partake. Likewise, by faith I must live upon Christ. Lord, give me grace to feed on him; make me hungry and thirsty for him; give me the faith to receive him, so that I may be satisfied with favour and full of the goodness of the Lord.

Though the text seems small, it grows under meditation. Let me give further illustrations of divine grace. Preventive grace is symbolised here: grass grew before cattle were created. In Genesis we see that God provided grass before he made the cattle. What a mercy that God’s covenant provisions for his people were prepared before they were born! God gave his Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour for his chosen before Adam fell; long before sin entered the world, God’s everlasting mercy foresaw it and provided a refuge for every elect soul. What comfort to know that before I hunger, God has prepared the manna; before I thirst, God has caused the rock in the wilderness to produce crystal streams to satisfy my soul’s thirst! See what sovereign grace can do! Before the cattle come to pasture, the grass is ready; before I experience my need for mercy, mercy is already prepared for me.

Here is an illustration of free grace: when the ox enters the field, it brings no money. Similarly, I, a poor, needy sinner, bring nothing but receive Christ without money and without cost. “The Lord makes the grass grow for the cattle, and so he provides grace for my needy soul, though I have no money, no merit, no excellence of my own.”

Why does God give grass to the cattle? Because they belong to him. Scripture affirms, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts, and the cattle on a thousand hills” — Haggai 2:8 (ESV). God provides grass for his cattle; likewise, grace is provided for God’s people.

Every herd of cattle is God’s: long before the farmer brands a bullock, God has marked it; so, long before the fall of Adam, the stamp of electing love was set on our brow: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed” — Psalm 139:16 (ESV).

God also feeds cattle because he has entered a covenant with them. “A covenant with cattle?”

someone asks. Indeed: when God spoke to Noah, after the flood, he said, “I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, of the birds, of the livestock, and of every beast of the earth with you” — Genesis 9:9-10 (ESV). Thus a covenant was made with the cattle: seedtime and harvest would not fail; therefore the earth produces for them, and for them the Lord causes the grass to grow. If God keeps his covenant with cattle, will he not keep it with his beloved? Yes, his chosen are covenanted in Christ, and he provides for all their needs in time and eternity, satisfying them out of the fullness of his everlasting love.

God feeds the cattle, and then the cattle praise him. David writes, “Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!” — Psalm 148:7-10 (ESV). The Lord feeds his people so that their glory may praise him, and not be silent. While other creatures give him glory, let the redeemed of the Lord especially proclaim it, those he has delivered from the hand of the enemy.

Yet even now, our text is not exhausted. Consider the grass itself: “He causes the grass to grow”.

Here is a doctrinal lesson: if grass cannot grow without God, how could grace arise in the human heart apart from divine action? Grace is a far more wonderful product of God’s wisdom than grass.

If grass cannot grow without a divine cause, any growth of grace must be traced to God, and all glory must be given to him.

Furthermore, if God deems it worthwhile to make grass and care for it, much more will he honourably cause his grace to grow in our hearts. If the great invisible Spirit, whose thoughts are high and lofty, condescends to watch over that humble growth by the hedge, surely he will oversee his own seed in us, “the incorruptible seed that lives and endures forever” — 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV).

Mungo Park, exploring the deserts of Africa, took comfort from a small piece of moss, seeing God’s wisdom and power even in that lonely patch of green.

Likewise, when you see fields ripe for mowing, your heart should leap with joy at how God has produced the grass, tending it through the winter cold and spring frost until rain and sunshine bring it to perfection. So, my soul, though you endure many frosts of sorrow and long winters of trial, the Lord will cause you to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen.