Time to Work!

"He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ⁵ As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. ⁶ In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."

Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

It is natural for man to trust his limited senses rather than walking in faith.  The flesh contrives countless reasons why it is not a convenient or opportune time to trust God now.  We are always seeking better conditions where obvious fruitfulness of our efforts is instantly apparent.  Solomon held forth the picture of the man filled with excuses.  There are seasons to plant and harvest, yet the man described in verse 4 is focused on the weather.  In the season for sowing he says, "Ah!  Too windy today.  I want more control over where the seed lands."  So the seed remains unused in the shed.  When it is the time to harvest, he turns his furrowed brow towards the heavens:  "Threatening clouds overhead.  Better wait until the risk of a downpour is over."

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: ² a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted..."  It is the season - not wind or clouds - which indicate the right time for labour.  Farming is a practical act of faith.  In Bible times, people planted seeds trusting God would bring the rain, cause the plants to grow and be fruitful, and He would cause the fruit to remain and ripen.  Solomon confronted those who made excuses to justify their inaction by pointing out the severe limitations of their senses and understanding.  "You don't know the way of the wind," Solomon said.  "You don't know how bones grown in the womb of a mother with child.  If you don't know where the wind is coming from or where it is going, it's clear you do not know the works of God who makes everything."

His conclusion?  "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."  We can never know the impact of our labours in God's field or vineyard for the glory of God and His kingdom.  The words of Solomon are deeper than mere advice on farming.  He offers us sage spiritual advice concerning our efforts to scatter the good seed of God's Word and reap a harvest of souls and good fruit.  Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."  As long as we draw breath, as children of the light it is high time to labour for the LORD.  The movement of the Holy Spirit is compared to wind by Jesus in John 3, and no man can predict what He will do.  Who knows how far He will carry the seed and cause it to be fruitful?  For years the seed may remain dormant in the hearts and minds of others, and then suddenly by God's grace it will spring to life!

If we are looking to social trends to find a strategy, if we decided it is an inconvenient time because of modern culture or social pressure, when will the work God has ordained us to do be done?  Instead of observing the wind or the clouds, let us look to the example of Jesus Christ and follow Him as led by the Holy Spirit.  Let us be diligent to put our hands to the plow without looking back, scoffing at our pathetic flesh which pleads to quit and leave work undone.  It is a season for diligence and labour, for humility and doing the hard yards.  Isn't it amazing God has ordained a single seed to bring forth new life?  Whether we move rocks, plow, sow, or reap, it is God who brings the increase.  Psalm 126:5-6 assures us, "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. ⁶ He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."  Instant results will likely not occur, but we can trust God He will bring the increase in His time.