Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence. Rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. ~Proverbs 19:25
A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the evil gulps down evil. Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. ~Proverbs 19:28-29
Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction. The one who sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. ~Galatians 6:7-8
So, you take the little seed out of the packet. Wow, it’s so tiny. How in the world could it become a living plant that can produce food? How about an acorn? Now that is amazing! That little thing can grow how tall, and how big around? If seeds are grown in the right environment, watered well and protected, from invasive weeds and harmful critters, their potential is a wonder to behold.
Paul uses this seed analogy to warn the Galatians and us to be careful about what we are sowing in the unseen world because, “you reap what you sow.” When we plant a watermelon, we don’t expect to get an oak. That makes sense. I don’t think that the analogy requires any more explanation than that. But Paul wants to make sure that we also understand that what we plant in the unseen world of our souls will also bear the fruit of the seed we have planted. Those who sow corruption and evil will reap punishment. That is the fruit of the damage they cause.
Solomon is warning those of us who want to be wise in God’s eyes, to learn this lesson well so that we don’t give up seeking to do good and begin to take on foolish ways. You know, evil doesn’t usually start out big and full grown. It begins as a seed, a temptation, a thought, something sneaky that the doer believes he or she has gotten away with. It begins small and grows just like an oak tree.
Sometimes, we get frustrated because we think that our little seeds of good are nothing compared to the big acts of evil that we can now see and want to get rid of. Have you ever considered grass? Have you ever noticed how grass can ruin a pavement? Grass is so tiny. We walk on it and it bends. It breaks off easily. However, grass never gives up. It just keeps growing and pushing and spreading and, eventually it wins! The pavement gets little patches of grass in it and eventually begins to crumble.
How many sidewalks have been buckled by the persistent root of a tree? We need to believe in the power of our good, from God, to fight back against evil. What we do may seem like small things to us, but when we persist, they will succeed. Oh, you who want to be wise in Him, learn this well and never give up on the good He calls us to. They will reap what they sow and so will we.
“Rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.” If you have been tempted to give up, may you be inspired to keep going and growing for His good today. Galatians 6:9 assures us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Prayer: Father thank You for faith to believe that the little good things I do, and we do as Your church, can grow into great influence if we do not give up. We want to reap a harvest of souls saved unto eternity! We know that’s Your will too. So, thanks in advance. In Jesus’ name. amen.
Song: Dream Small
Grace, mercy and peace,
Greg & Kathy
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