I was running errands today when I noticed so many leaves on the ground. My youngest daughter is ready to decorate for fall, and it seems like the trees are ready, too. This summer has been quite long, with a lot of changes, some difficult moments to overcome, and memories I will cherish forever.
Every time the fall season approaches, I think about what harvest means in the Bible. Harvest is such a powerful word, and I think the lessons we can learn from this concept will change anyone’s life. In this article, I will discuss Biblical Harvest and share three key concepts and scripture that will promote spiritual growth in your life.
Planting Seeds
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you. – Hosea 10:12 (WEB)
About a year ago, I got laid off from my job and was thrust into the world of discovering my next steps in life. I had just started school to earn my Master of Fine Art in Creative Writing, so I was able to shift my focus toward that goal. But the truth is, there were some things that obviously needed to change in my heart.
I could apply to hundreds of jobs, pursue my writing, or start a business, but no matter what I chose to do, there were so many elements out of my control. I couldn’t control whether or not someone would call me back for an interview. Nor could I control whether or not someone purchased my books or visited my website. The same is true with starting a new business; I could not control whether or not someone would be interested in my services.
However, this season, I learned the importance of planting seeds—not just any seeds, but seeds that would help me build a life that I wanted and had envisioned. The issue with planting seeds is that you can’t plant seeds for “fruit” you don’t have.
One thing I learned is I needed to gather the seeds I wanted but didn’t have, and I did this by doing the following:
- Reading God’s Word: When I am in the Word, I learn about God’s character and gain wisdom about the seeds I want to plant to be more like Him.
- Daily Prayer: Listening to the Holy Spirit’s promptings allows me to have supernatural wisdom I would otherwise not have. I seek His guidance in all I do and confess the sins (weeds) in my life holding me back.
- Obedience: Once I got laid off, I quickly had an idea of the changes I needed to make in my life. While my obedience has not been perfect, I know the steps I need to take, which I can control. Obedience involves steps that only I can take, and no one else can be obedient for me.
Reaping What You Sow
According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same. – Job 4:8 (WEB)
In that season, I found relief in knowing there was something I could control. I could control what seeds I would sow into my life, relationships, school, and work.
Early in my faith, I would always watch Charles Stanley on TV. And he talks a lot about the Life Principle of Reaping and Sowing, and he states:
“Every farmer understands the meaning of this principle: We reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow.”
This is an interesting concept: We reap more than we sow, later than we sow. It is easy to get discouraged in life when it looks like your efforts are not yielding any fruit. But it is important to remember that your actions and way of life will result in a consequence, whether good or bad.
The word “harvest” has several different meanings in the Bible. However, the concept of planting seeds and reaping a harvest is the same in every concept. Here, I will cover three different concepts of harvest in the Bible.
The Harvest Of Souls
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38 (WEB)
As we can see in Matthew 9:37-38 the harvest of souls was on the mind of Jesus. It is also important to remember that God is patient because He wants no one to perish. But in this verse, we see the importance of obediently following the Lord and being a laborer for Him.
God sends the laborers, but sometimes, we don’t answer the call obediently. This doesn’t mean we are called to be on a stage leading people to the altar. Revival begins with an individual, and planting seeds of obedience in their walk with Christ will have a ripple effect on those around them.
The harvest is plentiful, and those who are called and obedient to the calling will harvest souls for the Kingdom.
The Harvest Of Righteousness
Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9 (WEB)
Confession is one of my favorite times in prayer. During this time, I get to give God all the pain, darkness, and weariness in my heart. Some people fear confession because they have to admit they are wrong. Like a small child hiding their mistakes and bad behavior from their parents, some people hide their true thoughts and feelings from God.
But the truth is God already knows what you and I are struggling with at any moment. Prayer and confession are your safe places to take everything to God, and because of Jesus, you can be confident in the grace to do so!
I bring this up because the weariness you might feel in doing good might be relieved through a time of confession to God. This life is not easy, and you will face hostility for living differently than this world. Sometimes, you will feel alone, and giving up might sound like the only option. But it’s not. Running to God for strength and help is the better choice.
The promise of not giving up is that you will reap the goodness you have sown in due season.
The Harvest Of Faithfulness And Obedience
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves. – Psalm 126:5-6 (WEB)
The moment you believed in Jesus, you received the gift of faith. This means you can lean into your faith in every circumstance and situation in life, walking in obedience even when life is hard.
Psalm 126:5-6 illustrates the life of someone who has gone through a life of sowing through the trials. This takes faith and obedience to God. The beautiful promise tied to this is that whoever endures and sows will reap a harvest of joy.
Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy. If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth. – Henri Nouwen
Patience Is Key To Reaping Any Harvest
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. – James 5:7 (WEB)
Once you begin planting seeds, you need to be patient and wait for the harvest. This includes the harvest of souls, righteousness, faithfulness, and obedience. It is essential to lean on the promises of God’s Word and that everything you sow will reap a harvest. The key is to plant the seeds for the fruit you want to reap.
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