The word for this week is: Fruitful.
The thought for this week is: God’s Spirit produces fruit.
You have heard the saying “you reap what you sow”. When you consider the farmer, the saying makes perfect sense. The farmer puts a tiny seed into the ground. The seed will grow into a plant of its kind and when harvested, a yield far more is produced for the farmer’s harvest. Of course, this is not an instant process. The farmer must wait for the crop to mature in its time, the rewards of the harvest coming at a later time than when initially planted.
Read Deut. 7:1-6. What was God’s command to the Israelites? Why was God so strict about this issue? What was God’s motivation in giving them this command? Now, read Judges 2:1-4. What did the Israelites reap from their disobedience? It is hard to imagine why it was that the Israelites did not drive out the Canaanites, but their failure to do so was a failure to honor God. Their disobedience brought them a great deal of trouble. Although they were not judged immediately, the consequences came all the same.
It is dangerous for us to think that God will not mind. He does mind when we disobey. We may not immediately see the consequences of our actions, but they will come. In Judges 2:10-11 we learn that generations had been gathered to their fathers and another generation arose that did not know the Lord nor the wonders he had performed for Israel. They did evil in the sight of the Lord and served false gods. Because of their disobedience, the Israelites suffered hundreds of years of warfare with the nations they failed to drive out.
Conclude by reading Gal. 6:7-10. Why do you think Paul writes “God is not mocked”, about the things that we reap and sow? This principle is not about doing good works, it is about being obedient to God. Do you seek God’s leadership when you make decisions? Do you obey him as soon as you know his will? Each choice that we make for good or evil is a seed which we are planting for the future. Sometimes it is the smallest seed that will affect our life the most. Meditate and pray through the following scripture: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we praise your Holy name. We thank you for the daily provisions of life and ask that you bless us as we have need. Empower us with your Spirit so that in every aspect of our lives we will be obedient to you and your perfect will. Allow us to produce fruit that yields a blessed harvest in your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
By Rory Barneche