Don’t Become Weary

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. (Amos 9:13 ESV)

This scripture came to mind as the Lord reminded me of something that happened a couple of years ago.

At the end of August, I cleaned my garden just before leaving for vacation. I removed all the plants that I thought were finished for the season, leaving only the bell pepper plants and the peanuts.

The bell peppers had been quite a surprise that year. I originally planted five plants, but a few days later, one or two of them died. So, I planted three more, but one of those didn’t make it either. Something kept pulling them up. Eventually, I planted two more, resulting in a total of seven plants that survived.

After several weeks, there were still no signs of any bell peppers. However, I decided to leave the plants intact. Just before we went on vacation, they suddenly began to produce bell peppers—tons of them! I froze so many that I couldn’t fit any more in my freezer, and I even gave some away. Remarkably, they continued to grow, and by the end of September, they were still producing.

Before we finally pulled up the plants, Brailee and I picked about twenty bell peppers. The reason I pulled them up was that it was time to plant seeds for turnip greens. It was time for another harvest. This brought to mind the scripture from the book of Amos— it was the right moment to plant again while I was still harvesting from my spring planting. The reaping continued even as I sowed seeds for the next season.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought about the bell peppers. Rather than feeling discouraged by the plants that died, I chose to continue planting more. Each time a plant failed to produce or died, I replaced it with another and increased my overall planting. This effort provided enough harvest for me, Breanne, my mom, my sisters, and our neighbors.

I refused to let discouragement stop me from sowing. Even when a plant died, I kept planting and continued to sow seeds.

Galatians 6:7,9 says, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

I did not allow myself to become weary; therefore, just as the Word of God says, I reaped at the right time. I experienced an abundance and continued to reap until it was time to sow new seeds for a new season.

God is faithful. It doesn’t matter what is happening in the world or in the economy—God is not dependent on those circumstances, and neither are we. If we live by the Word of God and follow its guidance regarding our finances, we will prosper according to His promises. God has ways to bless His people, even and especially in times of famine.

Today, I want to encourage you. If you have sown seeds, do not become discouraged. Your harvest may not come as quickly as you expect, but it will come. God cannot be mocked; whatever we sow, we will reap—if we do not give up and do not allow ourselves to become weary. As I mentioned, God is faithful. He will honor His Word, honor your giving, and bring an abundant harvest. Expect it and release your faith for it today!