Have you ever labored in prayer for a deep desire of your heart? Do situations cause doubt that the answer will ever come? The devil is not only the accuser of us to God, but he also accuses God of failing to keep His word. His goal is to cause us to doubt God’s Word. Time can be one tool that he uses to do so. But if we look at the verses below, we can see that time is exactly what is needed to bring the promise.
So, I’ll open this blog post with a scripture. Genesis 8:22 states, “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night”. Anyone who’s spent a year or more in North Carolina can appreciate this verse. There are usually no definitive seasons, but most absurdly there is cold and heat. Recently, heat has been prevailing here. But even despite the regional temperatures, God promises there is a time for everything.
I love that God gives us such a practical example of seed time and harvest. The farmer tills the ground and prepares it for the seed. He puts out fertilizer and pulls up the weeds. Lots of labor goes into the beginning stages. Then, there’s the elements. The seed must endure harsh weather. The cold and rainy seasons make remembering the warmth of sunny summer days difficult. The promise of harvest seems like a distant memory, but it always comes forth.
Isaiah 55 speaks on this concept. The times of rain and snow are much needed for the soil. It prepares the ground for the seed. And let’s face it. No one likes heavy rainstorms (as I type this a monsoon is happening outside). Wet weather is messy and sometimes causes us to shift our plans. But we have the assurance that it will always produce fruit. So, don’t get discouraged during this season. Time spent sowing in tears will reap “joy and peace”. Just as nature comes alive with the spring season, we will reap the promise if we do not lose heart. The passage in Isaiah 55 ends with such a beautiful statement. It says the fulfillment of promise will be a sign of God’s everlasting power and love. He gets pleasure in displaying His power. It brings Him honor.
So, keep praying! When words of doubt invade your mind, remind yourself of God’s promise. Be assured that His word will always produce fruit. God is gracious in all He does. He knows that every season is necessary. So, wait on His promise!
Scripture Reference: Psalms 145:13b (NLT) “The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”
Isaiah 55:10-13 (NLT) “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
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