Good morning strong ones!
I want to encourage you by answering this question: “What do you do when you have initiated a faith action but haven’t seen results? Well, if you become skillful in waiting with patient endurance, there will never be a time when you won’t see a harvest from the seeds you have sown in faith.
Just as a farmer must wait after sowing his field before harvesting his crop, there is a process to faith that demands a period of waiting before harvest time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that there is a time for things to happen. For example, in Acts 12:12-16, people were praying for Peter’s release from jail. After he was freed from prison and they came knocking at his door, they were too busy praying to receive him. The time for prayer was over ~ it was time to receive!
So, in order to avoid frustration and the temptation to quit, remember that there is a due season and an appointed time for every harvest.
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus compares God’s kingdom to a man sowing seeds, thereby domonstrating the law of progression. The “law of progression” is: “first the blade, then the ear, and finally the full ear of corn.” Once the progression has concluded, prepare your sickle for the harvest!
For any harvest, someone must first cast his seed into the ground. He must continue to be attentive to his crop. The farmer understands the progression of his seed. Once it is sown, he knows his crop should grow.
Like a farmer, you sow seed through your confession of the Word and by your actions. As long as you don’t dig it up, your seed will grow and produce a mighty harvest.
Resist the temptation to give up and quit in regards to God’s Word. Galatians 6:7-10 tells you not to be deceived. God said that you would reap a harvest from whatever you sow. Because you know that He’s not a liar, you can believe and know that His promises will come to pass. Remember: DON’T BECOME WEARY IN WELL DOING OR LOSE HEART AND COURAGE!
As you continue to pray and wait expectantly upon the Lord, you’ll receive your promise in due season (see Psalm 145:15; Psalm 104:27; Psalm 37:9, 34; Job 14:14). As you wait EXPECTANTLY upon the Lord, don’t remain idle. Give God your full attention and service. Praise Him during this time. Isaian 40:28-31 says,
- They that wait (praise, brighten up, shout and turn around) on the Lord will have their strength renewed; they will mount on wings like eagles and run without weariness.
The key to being successful during your time of waiting expectantly is to act like the crop has already been harvested, and begin to praise God, no matter what the situation looks like. Stir yourself up!
Waiting expectantly upon the Lord,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church