The Fruitful Season
Sunday, June 23, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:1–3
William Wilberforce probably did more than anyone else to end the slave trade in England and her colonies. Despite being right about the awfulness of slavery, Wilberforce found few allies in the fight. It took many years of effort and a willingness to keep going in the face of one defeat after another. One of the encouragements he turned to was a letter John Wesley wrote him not long before Wesley died.
Wesley said, “Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that [slavery] which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might.” The Slavery Abolition Act gained the votes to pass three days before Wilberforce died.
God does not work on our timetable. He promises that anyone who delights in His Word will flourish, but even trees of righteousness only bear fruit in season. There is a certain time of harvest, but it is only enjoyed by those who continue faithfully until they see the promises fulfilled. Do not be discouraged just because you have not yet seen that harvest.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:1–3
William Wilberforce probably did more than anyone else to end the slave trade in England and her colonies. Despite being right about the awfulness of slavery, Wilberforce found few allies in the fight. It took many years of effort and a willingness to keep going in the face of one defeat after another. One of the encouragements he turned to was a letter John Wesley wrote him not long before Wesley died.
Wesley said, “Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that [slavery] which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might.” The Slavery Abolition Act gained the votes to pass three days before Wilberforce died.
God does not work on our timetable. He promises that anyone who delights in His Word will flourish, but even trees of righteousness only bear fruit in season. There is a certain time of harvest, but it is only enjoyed by those who continue faithfully until they see the promises fulfilled. Do not be discouraged just because you have not yet seen that harvest.
Today's Growth Principle:
Never give up your hope until you reach the season of harvest.
Never give up your hope until you reach the season of harvest.
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