Texts: Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:6-9

Recurrent Thought: God instituted rhythms of life in cycles of times and seasons for our benefit. Therefore, we do well to recognise and respect these cycles in our activities here on Earth.

Introduction

Human life begins in one critical cycle and is thereafter sustained by rhythms of cycles as ordained by God. Largely these cycles are of times, periods and seasons. One such important cycle is that of Seedtime and Harvest.

Servants of God have from this pulpit spoken on many aspects of this Principle/Cycle of Seedtime and Harvest. Today, we briefly look at the Time-Factor in the Seedtime and Harvest Cycle. The scriptures we have read remind us that God has ordained specific times and seasons for our benefit. To thrive, we must recognise and respect these divine rhythms and discern the time-factor in our activities.

Time-Factor in 3 Key Activities:

1. Time in Sowing/Planting:
   • Discerning the right time to plant each seed is crucial.
   • Sowing too early or too late can be detrimental to our endeavours.
   • Since we continually eat, we must also continually sow to ensure a continuous harvest.
   • What are we sowing consistently? Are we sowing NOTHING? We should expect to harvest the increase of NOTHING!
   • The prophet Hosea warned, "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7).
   • Implications of Time-Factor: Sowing time has influence on optimal growth and yield level of each crop.
2.  Time in Nurturing:
   • After sowing, patience is required as we tend to our crops: weeding, controlling pests and diseases, fertilising, watering, and waiting have their right times too.
   • Waiting-time to allow for the process is important in the cycle. Don’t disturb the development process by unwarranted curiosity and impatience.
   • James 1:4 reminds us that patience (endurance, perseverance, steadfastness) allows us to mature and be complete.
   • A good farmer never gives up because of one season of a bad harvest. He sows again and hope for a better Year of Great Harvest!
   • However, as we wait we must also be vigilant, as the enemy can plant weeds in our fields, as Jesus taught in Matthew 13:28.
   • Implications of Time-Factor: Nurturing times have influence on effective weed control; pest and disease management; and water and nutrient uptake.
3. Time in Reaping/Harvesting:
   • The harvest doesn't collect itself; it requires timely action.
   • Each yield has its optimal harvest time – not too early, not too late.
   • We must protect our harvest from threats like thieves, animals, and weather conditions.
   • As we reap, let us remember to increase the good seed God supplies, as 2 Corinthians 9:10 assures us: "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness."
   • Implications of Time-Factor: Harvesting times have influence on the quality and quantity of the harvest; pre- and post-harvest losses, market opportunities and pricing of produce. What kind of sheaves are you going to bring in?

Prayer Altar

1. Pray that we recognise the right timing for every sowing, nurturing, and harvesting activity in our lives.
2. Pray that we discern and speak against any enemy interference in our various harvest fields.
3. Pray that we develop patience (endurance, perseverance, steadfastness) to calm us as we wait for our harvest time.