“Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.” (Mark 4:27)
Read Mark 4:3-20.
Have you sown a “seed” of faith, and now you’re wondering when you will reap the “harvest” God promised in His Word? If so, read on: “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: First the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (vv. 26-29). Before you reap the harvest of blessing God promised, you go through certain stages.
First, there is the “not knowing” stage. Your seed is buried in the ground. How and when your harvest comes is entirely up to God. But you must believe that it will happen.
Next comes the “blade” stage. It’s just a tiny blade blowing in the breeze, but it’s enough to encourage you and let you know your harvest is on the way.
Next comes the “head” stage. The seed has started to sprout and looks like what you prayed for. This is when you must water it with prayer, fertilize it with God’s Word, and protect it from anything or anyone that would uproot it through doubt and unbelief.
Finally, you enter the “full grain” stage, when the grain ripens and you immediately reap a harvest.
Whatever stage you’re in today, stand fast and keep trusting God. Your harvest is on the way.
Prayer
Lord, I am thankful for the saving grace You have given me through the sacrifice of Your Son. As I talk to others about what that grace can do for them, I may not see any results, but I trust in Your Holy Spirit to touch them in Your time and bring about the harvest of their faith.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
