Laws of the Harvest
It is “harvest time” in the Midwest. Already across Northern Missouri, farmers are beginning to realize the fruit of their labors. Combines have been serviced and are beginning to fulfill the purpose for which they were made. They were manufactured to bring in that which was planted months ago.
Every combine lives by the “laws of the harvest.” We can’t expect them to know that, but each one of them shouts out the fulfillment of four absolute laws relating to the harvest. As they lumber through the fields they give mechanical testimony to biblical truth.
They reap what was sown.
They reap where the seed was sown.
They reap much more than was sown.
They reap months later than it was sown.
Those are four laws of the harvest and although I have proclaimed them many times over many years they remain true. They are laws, not principles. A principle speaks in generalities. Generally when something happens, something else follows. But a law speaks in absolutes. Unless God interrupts the process in some miraculous display of grace, we can expect to reap what we have sown.
The apostle Paul expressed it this way in Galatians 6:7-9: “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows 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.”
Both the good and the bad are expressed in this passage. You may reap a wonderful harvest of spiritual growth and blessing. You may reap a horrible harvest of loss and destruction. The harvest is based on what you sow and where you sow. It follows behind us in abundance.
Years ago, my mom and I decided we would make a bunch of money one summer raising cucumbers. Paramount Pickle Company came to Gallatin County and convinced us that there was money to be made. You plant the cucumbers and enjoy the fruit of your labors. Plant, cultivate, pick and sell. It sounded great and it would keep a sixteen year old boy busy for a summer. I didn’t understand that they wanted little bitty pickles. Our first delivery to the purchasing station netted a grand total of $.98. That was not a fun summer.
One event stands out in my mind. We only planted 1/4th of an acre but it was not easy. I was tired of planting cucumbers so at the edge of the field I threw a handful of seed under a flat rock. I finished planting before my mom and sister. My seed was gone that late April day. But it sprouted in May leaving no doubt as to why I finished planting so soon. Coming from under the rock was a forest of cucumber vines. They bore silent testimony to one of the laws of harvest.
There will be a harvest of what we have planted. Sow wild oats and expect a harvest of sorrow. Invest in the service of Jesus and He promises an abundant harvest.
We rarely sing the old hymn, “Bringing in the Sheaves,” but sometimes certain lines from that old song come to mind.
“By and by the harvest and the labor ended
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”
Take heart, folks, your labor for Jesus will produce a harvest. It’s the law!
(To listen to the message “Sowing and Reaping” click “episodes” at takeheart.org)
