April Fools
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6: 7,8
I love the story of Hagar, Ishmael's mom-to-be, when she thinks Sarai is being too hard on her and runs out into the desert. The Lord catches her out there and tells her to go home, letting her know that He's involved in their lives and that her child is going to have a respectable end. (Genesis 16)
Hagar names the Lord "The God Who Sees". Indeed, the Creator is the only One who sees everything and Who has a perfect memory. When the Lord makes a promise... Well, we ought to be patient, because you can bet your sweet bippy it's coming to pass.
Then there is the question of today's text. It has been carried over the generations throughout all times and cultures. We reap what we sow. So if we know this, why does the writer think it important to tell us not to be deceived?
If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that many times it doesn't appear that those who sow evil, reap evil, or that those who sow good seed, reap good things. Sometimes the very same person who gives to everyone ends up without and the guy who is continuously knocking the wind out of people seems to receive every wonderful thing this world has to offer.
But don't be fooled.
Everything we do is noted by the God Who Sees, things we act on and things upon which we do not act. Our thoughts, hopes for others, personal desires, struggles and successes are all seeds. Our tears are seeds, whether they are the precious seed mentioned in Psalm 126, or seeds of selfishness.
Our reward is coming. The reality of life extends beyond the borders of our societies and dreams. Sowing to the flesh will kill us, but sowing to the Spirit will bring us eternity in the presence of the only One Who ever mattered. Them that sow in tears will reap in joy.
Don't be fooled today. "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." (Ecclesiastes 11:4) If you're looking for the perfect time to do something just, you will never see it. If you are looking for the perfect time to bring in the harvest, it will never come.
Now is the time ordained for your deliverance. Now is the time ordained for your renewal. Now is the time ordained for you to love your neighbor. Now is the time ordained for you to allow your neighbor to show love to you.
The Lord is many things, but never mocked. Whatever we sow, that we reap— and this only because our Judge is Righteous. He takes into account all that we are and makes ultimate recompense.
Love covers a multitude of sins— every second our Messiah's sacrifice saves us where the damning hammer ought to fall. Eternal growth is the goal, as a sweet heart isn't forgotten, though buried in bitterness. He woos and sustains until we allow Him to deliver. A mean spirited act will not slip by unnoticed. A life redeeming lesson must be learned, though it take decades to learn it. A widow's mite is the best gift given, even when it is openly despised by Man. Defense of the defenseless is honored, though those who hear reject it.
Creator, we thank You today for all Your wondrous works, for Your delivering hand, and for just compensation.
———
———
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4:8)
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. (Proverbs 22:8)
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. ...Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
(Hosea 8:7, 10:12,13)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(2 Corinthians 9:6)
Galatians 6: 7,8
I love the story of Hagar, Ishmael's mom-to-be, when she thinks Sarai is being too hard on her and runs out into the desert. The Lord catches her out there and tells her to go home, letting her know that He's involved in their lives and that her child is going to have a respectable end. (Genesis 16)
Hagar names the Lord "The God Who Sees". Indeed, the Creator is the only One who sees everything and Who has a perfect memory. When the Lord makes a promise... Well, we ought to be patient, because you can bet your sweet bippy it's coming to pass.
Then there is the question of today's text. It has been carried over the generations throughout all times and cultures. We reap what we sow. So if we know this, why does the writer think it important to tell us not to be deceived?
If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that many times it doesn't appear that those who sow evil, reap evil, or that those who sow good seed, reap good things. Sometimes the very same person who gives to everyone ends up without and the guy who is continuously knocking the wind out of people seems to receive every wonderful thing this world has to offer.
But don't be fooled.
Everything we do is noted by the God Who Sees, things we act on and things upon which we do not act. Our thoughts, hopes for others, personal desires, struggles and successes are all seeds. Our tears are seeds, whether they are the precious seed mentioned in Psalm 126, or seeds of selfishness.
Our reward is coming. The reality of life extends beyond the borders of our societies and dreams. Sowing to the flesh will kill us, but sowing to the Spirit will bring us eternity in the presence of the only One Who ever mattered. Them that sow in tears will reap in joy.
Don't be fooled today. "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." (Ecclesiastes 11:4) If you're looking for the perfect time to do something just, you will never see it. If you are looking for the perfect time to bring in the harvest, it will never come.
Now is the time ordained for your deliverance. Now is the time ordained for your renewal. Now is the time ordained for you to love your neighbor. Now is the time ordained for you to allow your neighbor to show love to you.
The Lord is many things, but never mocked. Whatever we sow, that we reap— and this only because our Judge is Righteous. He takes into account all that we are and makes ultimate recompense.
Love covers a multitude of sins— every second our Messiah's sacrifice saves us where the damning hammer ought to fall. Eternal growth is the goal, as a sweet heart isn't forgotten, though buried in bitterness. He woos and sustains until we allow Him to deliver. A mean spirited act will not slip by unnoticed. A life redeeming lesson must be learned, though it take decades to learn it. A widow's mite is the best gift given, even when it is openly despised by Man. Defense of the defenseless is honored, though those who hear reject it.
Creator, we thank You today for all Your wondrous works, for Your delivering hand, and for just compensation.
———
———
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4:8)
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. (Proverbs 22:8)
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. ...Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
(Hosea 8:7, 10:12,13)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(2 Corinthians 9:6)
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