Faithful Harvest – Part 2
By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of May 2, 2021
It’s harvest time. And God is completing promises to us as He enables us to do the work before us.
Hebrews 12:11 NIV reminds us that "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
The word "righteousness" here means divine approval of character or actions (Strong’s #1343). And we know this perfect nature to be found in and through Christ.
In Part 1 of this series, we saw that Ruth—in her faithful expressions of generous heart and enduring work—gleaned and gathered her way to a better life forward.
In this we are reminded that "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride" (Ecc 7:8 NIV).
Ruth humbled herself, completed the work at hand, and came out as pure gold.
So, how do we do the work before us in a way that is approved by God? And how do we not become weary in well-doing during this harvest time (Gal 6:9)?
As we remain in intimacy with God and keep the right priorities, never putting tasks before Him, He will guide our path and equip and empower us by His great grace to complete them (Heb 6:15).
So, keeping the right priorities honors God, keeps us energized, and brings rewards.
Very recently, during quiet time, Holy Spirit reminded me that our victory depends on Him in this way and that the spirit of defeat will try to reverse the priority to exhaust us and make our efforts inefficient.
Matthew 6:33 TPT reminds us by saying, "So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly."
Intimate time with God is greatly beneficial. It’s where we realize we are not alone. It’s where we open ourselves up to receive more of God’s beauty. It’s where He nurtures us and warms our hearts to move in His ease of grace for duty. It’s where perfect love casts out fear and makes a way. It's where God aligns us for our assignment by helping us see His greater vision for greater victory. It's where we gain insight to do tasks more efficiently.
When we keep God’s order, we gain access to greater clarity.
God will sometimes specifically draw us to come away with Him to refresh us just before an important assignment. A wilderness experience is an extended stay experience to strengthen us little by little for the big assignment ahead in the Promised Land. Daily, we should be encountering Him as the Spirit of Grace, sufficient to help us complete tasks.
When we feel like we don't have time to invest one-on-one with God, it may be due to fear that we won't be able to accomplish them. But this fear is linked with self-reliance and unbelief. Instead, we can choose to believe God’s truth which is that, when we make time with Him the first priority, we open ourselves to receive whatever we need from Him to complete the job before us that day.
God's grace is empowerment, a Holy ease. He will show us how to best accomplish it, so we can face it ready and able.
So, invest time in the priority that empowers you, not drains you (Eph 6:10). Act in faith, not the false energy of anxiety. Feast on God. And believe He will deliver His promises. Believe He will continue to show you your part and help you fulfill purpose alongside Him as you go forth with Him.
When circumstances feel tough, we can choose to not give up. We can choose to give up more of our ways to God’s ways and be fueled by His anointing.
We can also keep God’s faithful promises ever before us, knowing that His promise preserves our lives (Ps 119:50).
Pray with me if you will…
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You secure promises by Your grace as we extend our faith in action for it to be so. "May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise" Ps 119:41 NIV. With this in mind, we constantly pray that our God will empower us to live worthy of all that he has invited us to experience. And we pray that by his power all the pleasures of goodness and all works inspired by faith would fill us completely" (2 Thes 1:11 TPT). Thank You, Lord, for awakening us to see Your way, agree with You, and obey You.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
