The Results are Certain!

The boy’s defiance is legendary, refusal of all authority, all of the time.  Now on the edge of adulthood, his rebellion is about to have lasting consequence. He may just frustrate his parents and make the lives of his teachers more difficult right now with few painful consequences. For his entire 16 years he has resisted efforts to direct him. He laughs, living with the delusion that he is free. He relishes that he has dropped out of high school, and tells his friends that he can ‘do as he pleases’ with his time.  Any reasonable adult knows that the boy is mortgaging his future, that recovery of a productive life will become more and more difficult with each passing year.  If only he would accept the wisdom of counselors, mentors, and friends. His ‘freedom’ would be limited, but in reality he would be creating many options for himself later in life.

I ask myself, “Jerry, do you resist God’s counsel, taking your own way? You confuse self-will with freedom?  Or, are you surrendered to your Father, loving His authority?’

To rebel is to play the fool in rejection the Spirit of the Lord.
To submit is to find abundance.

Isaiah was inspired to write of the amazing result of receiving the Word (the counsel and wisdom) of God.  Read the ancient promises. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:10-13, NIV)

God has written the laws of the harvest into our lives.  

We harvest of the seed we plant.

We harvest only after we plant.

We harvest more than we plant.

We harvest in proportion to how much we plant.

Isaiah teaches us that God, the Holy Spirit, will use the Word of God like seed and rain and that the Spirit assures that He does not act or speak without a discernable result in this world!  When we engage with His will rather than resisting Him, there are beautiful results:  joy, peace, and abundance!  “So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines.”(Isaiah 55:12-13, The Message)

Christ Jesus offers us a life in the Kingdom, restoration to our Father, and a harvest enjoyed only by those who are right with God! Make no mistake. I am not endorsing a prosperity Gospel; that we can create greater wealth, perpetual health, and only bliss with the right kind of faith. That is terribly twisted understanding of the promises of God.  I am, however, convinced that we surely do enjoy a harvest in this life and in eternity. The grace of God intervenes to reverse the Curse for us when we receive His offer of salvation. The Spirit of God stands ready to lead us through each day. And, as we are obedient children, we enjoy rich fellowship with our Father. His purpose is to display His Majesty in us and through us. 

Are you receiving the Word? Are you letting the Spirit lead?  You are sowing the seeds for harvest.

Here is a word from the Word this Monday morning. Read it with faith and sow the seeds of abundance with obedience.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, NIV)

________

Father, my heart is open to the rain and seed of Your Spirit.

Plant deep in my mind, transforming my thoughts.

Give me the gift of faith to live with obedience,

Anticipating the harvest, assured not by circumstance,

But by your Holy promise.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen