The Holy Harvest Part 2: After the Reaping
Scripture: John 9:4
With these words in John 9:4, Jesus acknowledged He was mandated by God (I must work) to complete an assignment on earth. He cautioned that the window of opportunity would end (night is coming when no man can work). His disciples had asked if familial sin was why a certain man was born blind. The Lord said the man was born blind so that the works of God could be revealed. Jesus then began setting the stage for him to walk the path which led to restoration of his sight.
We too are created for works which reveal God’s will. These works are time sensitive; they must be completed in the order ordained by God. They are cyclical – a comforting rotation of being filled and emptied repeatedly to be used by Him. Farming is a common analogy in the Bible which illustrates the concept of seedtime and harvest. Like summer and winter, day and night, reaping must follow a planting and growing season (Genesis 8:22).
The Day 16 devotional, The Holy Harvest, reminded us of the significance of allowing God to renew our strength as we continue in well doing. Among the risks associated with extreme weariness include spiritual dimness, making it difficult to see God’s plan. In that devotional was a story of a weary farmer who labored all season and was blessed with a bountiful yield. However, the morning of the harvest he was too tired to gather.
When we left him, the man was snuggled in his bed, sound asleep after a mere quick glance at his fields bursting with fruits and vegetables. What a waste of resources and energy it would be if the farmer slept through the blessing of reaping what he had sown. Did he miss the opportunity to harvest his goods?
No. The farmer fully awakened a few minutes later when the Holy Spirit reminded him of today’s scripture. He was convicted in his spirit; the Lord had given him well beyond what he expected. He quickly assembled other laborers to help him in the field. As the crew gathered an endless supply of fresh goods, he meditated on 2 Corinthians 9:6:
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
When the fields were cleared his heart was grateful, he thanked the Lord for the bounty. At the same time he wondered what should he do with the massive abundance he had collected.
Has God poured a cornucopia of blessing upon you during this time of fasting and prayer? Are you enjoying it in good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38)? When this season ends and reaping is done, what will you do with your crop?
Without a doubt, thanksgiving and praise will immediately follow. Set aside time after the fast to take inventory of your unique harvest. Did you reap new relationships, answers to prayer, opportunities to reveal God to someone? The Bible provides clear instructions on what to do with the Lord’s blessings. Among the first is to freely and sacrificially share what you have been given. This work is a key component of the harvesting cycle. It blesses you and the recipient. At the same time, it makes room to prepare for the next growing season.
You will reap in due season if you faint not! In the natural realm, crops picked too soon produce fruit that is not fully developed to its full potential. Procrastinating can lead to crops rotting on the vine, wasted and useless. The same applies to your spiritual harvest; stay alert to the revelation of God’s work as you reap. His grace will abound toward you and provide an abundance for every good work He has called you to complete (2 Corinthians 9:11).
It’s Time to Pray: Thank you, Lord God, for blessing our lives with divine order and direction. We receive Your supply with thanksgiving, and give You all honor and praise always. In Jesus name…Amen!
