Waiting For the Harvest

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9.

I love the Autumn. The days are cooler and there is a feeling of expectancy in the air. The farmers are busy harvesting their crops. The seeds that they planted so carefully in the Spring have produced bountifully. It has been a busy time, cultivating, weeding, watering, and whatever else they had to do to ensure that things grew as they should, and now they are seeing the results of their labour. The stores and market stands are filled with fresh produce for us to enjoy.

Just as the farmer has a waiting period between sowing the seed and reaping the harvest, there are times in our life when we ask the Lord for something, and He allows us to go through a waiting time before we receive what we have asked for. For most of us, this is difficult, because we want answers immediately.

How do we handle the waiting time? James gives us some great advice:

James 5:7-8 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 

One thing we can be sure of: The Lord hears every prayer that we offer to Him, and He knows exactly what we need. If He asks us to wait, it is for a reason. Perhaps there are things we must learn before we will be ready for the answer. His timing is always perfect.

This week, let us consider some examples in the Bible, where God heard a prayer, or promised something, but they did not see the results immediately. They went through a time of waiting and preparation before they received what they desired. As we investigate their stories, may the Lord encourage and strengthen our faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you love us and know the desires of our hearts. Help us to bring our requests to you, and patiently wait for the answers.

Devotion by Anne Johnston