Faithful Sowing: Trusting God's Timing for Harvest
Summary
Galatians 6:7-9 reminds us of a foundational truth: what we sow, we will also reap. This principle is woven into both the natural and spiritual realms. Our investments—whether of time, talent, treasure, or faithfulness—are never wasted in God’s kingdom. The return may not be immediate, and the process may not always be visible, but God is faithful to honor every act of obedience and sacrifice. Just as a farmer plants in hope, trusting the unseen work beneath the soil, so we are called to keep sowing, trusting that God will bring the harvest in His perfect timing.
The enemy’s strategy is often not a single overwhelming attack, but a slow, steady wearing down of our resolve. Like Delilah with Samson, the enemy seeks to erode our resistance over time, tempting us to give up when we don’t see quick results. Yet, Scripture urges us not to grow weary in doing good. The harvest is promised “in due season”—not on our timetable, but on God’s. Our part is to remain faithful, to keep sowing, to keep believing, and to refuse to let discouragement or delay rob us of our reward.
Sometimes, the blessings of faithfulness are “time-released.” We may not feel the impact immediately, but as we continue in worship, prayer, and service, God is strengthening us in ways we may not recognize until later. Like the young evangelist who left Smith Wigglesworth’s house not feeling much, only to realize later that he had received a blessing, we too are often changed in the process of simply showing up and being faithful. Growth and strength are built over time, through repeated acts of obedience and perseverance.
It’s easy to become frustrated or bitter when we don’t see the results we hoped for, or when others seem to be blessed while we wait. But God is not a respecter of persons. He sees every seed sown, every prayer prayed, every act of love and service. The law of sowing and reaping is sure and steadfast. Our responsibility is to keep planting, keep watering, and trust God for the increase. In due season, we shall reap—if we do not faint.
Key Takeaways
- The Principle of Sowing and Reaping Is Unbreakable
God’s law of sowing and reaping is as certain in the spiritual as it is in the natural. Every investment—whether in prayer, service, giving, or faithfulness—will yield a harvest in God’s timing. The return may not be immediate, but it is inevitable, because God cannot be mocked and His promises never fail. [02:07]
- Weariness Is the Enemy’s Subtle Weapon
The enemy often seeks to wear us down through a series of small discouragements, not just major crises. Over time, this can erode our resolve and tempt us to give up before the harvest comes. Recognizing this tactic helps us to stand firm, refusing to let fatigue or disappointment cause us to abandon our calling. [03:22]
- Faithfulness Produces “Time-Released” Blessings
Many of God’s blessings are not immediately apparent; they unfold over time as we continue in faithfulness. Like the young evangelist who realized his blessing only after leaving, we often discover the fruit of our obedience later, sometimes in unexpected ways. Staying consistent in worship, prayer, and service allows God to strengthen and develop us, even when we don’t feel it in the moment. [15:15]
- Guard Against Bitterness and Comparison
When we don’t see quick results, it’s easy to become bitter or to compare ourselves with others who seem to be reaping their harvest. This is a trap that can derail our spiritual progress. Instead, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, trust His timing, and believe that He is preparing us for what He has promised, rewarding those who persevere. [20:53]
- Our Responsibility Is to Keep Sowing; God Brings the Increase
We are called to plant and water—to keep doing good, keep serving, keep loving, and keep believing. The increase is God’s responsibility, and He is faithful to bring it in due season. Our part is to remain steadfast, not to give up, and to trust that every act of obedience is building toward a sure and certain harvest. [37:42]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to Galatians 6:7-9
[02:07] - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
[03:22] - The Enemy’s Tactic: Wearing Down the Saints
[05:41] - The Timing of the Harvest
[06:44] - The Blessing of Giving and Spiritual Investment
[09:28] - The Test of Not Growing Weary
[12:00] - Faithfulness in the Face of Discouragement
[15:15] - Time-Released Blessings and Spiritual Growth
[18:22] - The Power of Consistency and Discipline
[20:53] - Guarding Against Bitterness and Distraction
[24:00] - Staying Focused on God’s Calling
[27:30] - Biblical Examples of Perseverance
[30:12] - The Danger of Convenience and Comparison
[33:00] - Planting, Watering, and Trusting God for Increase
[37:42] - The Certainty of the Harvest and Final Encouragement
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Law of Sowing and Reaping
*(Based on Galatians 6:7-9 and the sermon summary above)*
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### Bible Reading
Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV)
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 6:7-9, what is the connection between what we sow and what we reap?
2. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “sowing to the Spirit” versus “sowing to the flesh”? [06:44]
3. What does the phrase “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” mean in the context of the passage and the sermon? [05:41]
4. The pastor mentioned the story of the young evangelist visiting Smith Wigglesworth. What was the main point of that story? [15:15]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul warns believers not to “grow weary in doing good”? What are some reasons people might get tired or discouraged in their faithfulness? [09:28]
2. The sermon talks about the enemy’s tactic of wearing us down over time, rather than through one big attack. How does this gradual discouragement show up in real life? [03:22]
3. The pastor said that many blessings are “time-released” and not immediately obvious. How does this idea challenge our expectations about how God works? [15:15]
4. What does it mean that “God is not a respecter of persons” in the context of sowing and reaping? How does this affect the way we view our own faithfulness compared to others? [20:53]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that our investments of time, talent, treasure, and faithfulness are never wasted in God’s kingdom. Is there an area of your life where you feel like your efforts aren’t making a difference? How can you keep sowing even when you don’t see results? [05:41]
2. The enemy tries to wear us down with small discouragements. Can you identify a recent situation where you felt tempted to give up or felt worn out? What helped you keep going, or what could help you next time? [03:22]
3. The pastor shared that sometimes we don’t realize we’ve been blessed until later, like the young evangelist. Can you think of a time when you only recognized God’s blessing after the fact? How did that experience shape your faith? [15:15]
4. When we see others being blessed while we wait, it’s easy to get bitter or compare ourselves. Have you struggled with comparison or bitterness in your spiritual journey? What practical steps can you take to guard your heart against these feelings? [20:53]
5. The sermon said our responsibility is to keep planting and watering, and trust God for the increase. What is one specific way you can “keep sowing” this week—whether in prayer, service, giving, or another area? [37:42]
6. The pastor mentioned that faith is like a muscle that grows with use. What is one spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc.) you want to strengthen? What small, consistent step can you take to grow in that area? [18:22]
7. Is there a promise or dream from God that you’ve been waiting on for a long time? What would it look like for you to “not grow weary” and keep believing for that harvest? [09:28]
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Closing Prayer:
Ask God for strength to remain faithful, for eyes to see the “time-released” blessings, and for a heart that trusts His timing for the harvest.
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