A Harvest Promise
Scripture Reading — Psalm 85
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Sometimes the growing season seems very long. Months go by, and at times the growth of a crop seems almost imperceptible. In midsummer, the calendar seems full of weeks when storms or disease might threaten a crop, and harvesttime seems far away.
The same is true in our living before the Lord. While we occasionally have seasons of rapid growth in our faith, at other times the harvest seems far away, with many obstacles and challenges to trip us up. Storms of anger sweep over us, and we speak harsh words to a spouse or a child. We wilt in the heat and drought of financial pressures, and we are tempted to cut corners as stewards of the resources God has given.
When the harvest seems so far off, we need to hear again God’s promise. Yes, sin is a reality we need to deal with. Yes, God judges our sin. But God has also shown us his unfailing love and has given us salvation in Christ.
The psalmist invites us to “listen to what God the Lord says” and to hear God’s promise of peace. Jesus paid the price of our sin and completely fulfilled the demands of God’s law on our behalf. In him, the harvest is guaranteed.
“The Lord will indeed give [us] what is good.” In due time, our lives will yield a harvest in Christ.
Holy God, thank you for the word of peace you speak to us. Forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake, and open our eyes to the growing seeds of righteousness and faithfulness within us. Amen.
About the author — Joel Vande Werken
Joel Vande Werken has been a pastor since 2007, serving churches in Sussex, New Jersey, and in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Brandie, have five young children.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!