Harvest with Joy

Prayer – Lord, You know all about life and death. Give me insight to minister to others where You want me to, so that they can deal with loss…but see Your mercy and grace in their lives, as I have in mine.

Songs for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever. The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil. May Israel have peace! Psalm 125:1-5

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. Psalm 126:1-6

 

Meditate. Consider what God has done for His people.

 

Trust in the Lord. Look what God did bringing back the exiles to Jerusalem from Babylon—and having them rebuild the Temple. They had been exiled for disobedience—and returned filled with joy! Have you ever experienced defeat and then renewed strength? That is about what the Jews experienced as they returned to Jerusalem. They had to work hard to rebuild their city, the walls, and the Temple. But God was in it; they were restored and the people were blessed. The psalmist is pleading with God to give Israel peace. Looks to me like the same thing is happening now. People are praying for peace for Jerusalem…and all of Israel. That country has enemies surrounding it—but they also have support from others around the world.

 

"What amazing things the LORD has done for them." Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy!  We need to remember that. God is good to His people…and to many in other nations. I think that certainly includes the grace that He extends to all Christians. Grace as they plant seeds…and harvest the crops. That “harvest” may be other believers—so it is a spiritual harvest. Jesus said…

"Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, 'One plants and another harvests.' And it's true. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest." John 4:33-38

Shirley & Bob Woody
with Anne & Vicki Burris
October 14, 1989
died December 8, 1989

Harvest. That happens at the end of life when the grain or fruit is mature…or the person’s life is complete. My sister, Shirley, her husband, Bob, Shirley’s daughters Vicki and Anne, were all “harvested” by the Lord on December 8, 1989, when they died as a result of a domestic violence incident. They were gone, but I experienced defeat. It’s difficult to have relationships just end abruptly. That was 33 years ago. They were all believers…so we know we’ll see them in Heaven one day. The dead in Christ shall rise…

It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

I find joy in God’s plan for salvation—even though life is complicated and at times overwhelming. Death can be awkward—but we just have to trust in the Lord accepting His grace and mercy. He cares. Plant in tears…harvest with joy.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD's presence as I live here on earth! I believed in you, so I said, "I am deeply troubled, LORD." In my anxiety I cried out to you, "These people are all liars!" What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD's name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people. The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die. Psalm 116:7-15

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

  

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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