“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say – ”If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us! (Psalm 124:1-3).
Harvesting is akin to reaping and gathering grain, other grown products or yields. Some sowing or planting of whatever seed or some investment would naturally have been made that preceded the harvest. An old Korean proverb says “If you plant a bean, then you will harvest only beans, not grapes or strawberries.” Today begins our harvest season and I congratulate all of us as we look forward to harvesting God’s great acts in our lives.
In the Christian Church, Harvest is a great season. A season we appreciate God with part of our yields in recognition of the fact that He is the One that gives us the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). It is a season we should reflect on what God has done for us and thank Him by bringing forth our resources for His work to be manifested unto the utmost parts of the earth.
As individuals, God has given us a new life through Jesus Christ and planted special seeds of forgiveness and love in our hearts. He has established us to forever be co-heirs of His kingdom. His mighty hand has been upon us and when we look back at the challenges we have gone through as individuals and as a nation, we cannot ,but like David, recognize that “If it has not been the Lord who was on our side…”, the situation would have been different.
Unfortunately we live in an age that believes that knowledge is all we require to make progress in life and we pride ourselves as being very smart and wise when we look at all our accomplishments in life. The King of Assyria had that same arrogance and pride and God punished him for not appreciating the source of this power and influence; for the king had said in with pride: “by the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings. As one reaches into a nest, so my hand reached for the wealth of the nations; as people gather abandoned eggs, so I gathered all the countries; not one flapped a wing, or opened its mouth to chirp.” Isaiah 10:13-14.
Beloved in Christ, let us humble ourselves today and always before God, for His love and protection for us and let us show Him gratitude with our wealth and He shall give to us a harvest of His great acts.
Have a bountiful harvest of His love, mercy, provisions, good health, etc in the months ahead as you plant sacrificially today!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede