Mark 4:26-32 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows-- how, he himself does not know. 28 "The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.(Process) 29 "But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 30 And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 "It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade."
Jesus explained the Kingdom of God by telling stories that gave his hearers Word pictures. He captured his hearer's attention by sharing truths from the earth that illustrated kingdom principles. God wants his children to understand the principles of the kingdom of God and how things work. (Process) No one but Adam and Eve came into the world fully grown and mature.
This parable shows the process and progress of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit when the good seed is sown.
We are instructed not to despise the day of small things.
God starts with small. Great adventures, great businesses, great friendships, great creations and designs, great breakthroughs begin with a small thought. The thought develops into a plan; the plan develops into action, the action is processed into a thing, friendship, breakthrough, business, plan, creation, etc.
Consider the process of planting. The seed is placed into the soil; it is watered and receives sunlight to grow. Yet, how unwise it would be for one to go into his garden or flowerbed when the seedling comes up from the soil and begins to cry in discouragement because there is no bloom or no fruit growing on it. Why is this unrealistic? Do we not do this?
Because it takes TIME for the seed to grow and produce. There is PROCESS! I feel God wants to encourage some today that are waiting on the process! While you are waiting, God is working.
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. When things do not grow or happen when we expect! God is working while you are waiting.
Do not lose heart! Do not give in to the fatigue! Do not quit pressing forward to do good works, especially showing love, generosity, and hospitality toward those of the household of faith. In your patience, you possess your soul! Enjoy where you are as you journey. We are not to live only to enjoy our destination.
Do not let the silence of the seed discourage you!
Do not quit praying! Some of you are praying for family members. Some are praying for a financial breakthrough. Some are praying for relationships. Some are fighting and praying for your marriage. Some are praying for healing.
Jesus tells a story to illustrate God's willingness and desire to answer the cry of his children's prayer to him. God is our loving heavenly father. He is not unjust in any way. He is touched by our cries and needs. Luke 18:1-8 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. 3 "And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.' 4 "And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night and will He delay long over them? 8 "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
Waiting can be hard to do. Don’t entertain weariness during your wait! During the wait, the enemy wants to so doubt and defeat. He comes to infect and steal our faith. He wants to derail us and keep us from receiving our inheritance. Our enemy will tempt us to look at others who seemingly have no worries, they live their life in the pleasures of sin, and it seems that they prosper. I know we are not all that & where we want to be in life! But we must appreciate and enjoy the journey. Yes, even the stopping points.
The apostle James gives us some instructions. James speaks about the rich and lords ruling over the laborers/poor.
James 5:1-8 NAS Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. 7 Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
We must keep our attention in the right place and trust God to do right by us. Quit fretting; God is still writing your story. Quit trying to steal the pen. Trust the author!
Psalm 37:1-8 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
What God allows others to do or not do, have or not have, is really not our business. Some live long lives of 90 years and upward, while others live a few days or only a few years. Some live in health and material prosperity, while others live with disabilities, diseases, and great pain. Some live with large families full of love and support, while others live alone and unsupported. The list can go on and on.
The bottom line is: We must learn patience and contentment where we are. In order to please the Lord and thrive, we must cultivate a walk of faith in God. We must hope in his promises.
Mark 4:26-32 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts up and grows-- how, he himself does not know. 28 "The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. 29 "But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 30 And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 "It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade."
These are “kingdom principles,” a seed, a blade, then the head/fruit. Don’t be discouraged and give up when you are about to receive a harvest. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage!
