The Joy of Harvest

“They are as happy as people are at harvest time.” — from Isaiah 9

All summer long, the farmer works hard. He plants the seeds. He pulls the weeds. He waits and waits for the grain to grow. It takes a long, long time.

And then, at last, comes the best day of all — harvest! The grain is golden and ripe. Everyone helps gather it in. The barn fills right up. And when the work is done, there is a big, happy harvest feast, and everybody celebrates together.

The Bible says God’s people have happy times like harvest time. And do you know what the very happiest one is? It is when someone comes to love God.

The man who first told these farm stories, Spurgeon, said that the happiest day of his whole life was when he helped just one person come to know Jesus. He said he was happier than if someone had given him all the treasure in the world!

And there is a farmer’s rule worth knowing: you grow what you plant. If a farmer plants good wheat seeds, he gets good wheat. So if you plant good things in your life now — kindness, prayers, love for God — one day you will have a wonderful, happy harvest.

What will you plant today?

Dear God, help me to plant good and kind things every day, and thank you for the happy harvest you are growing in me. Amen.