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How often do we reckon with the fact that our actions and patterns today are sowing what we will later reap? Israel’s failure to reckon with this reality before the Lord landed them in the situation described in Hosea 8:7, “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” Pastor explained this week that this sowing and reaping, this cause and effect, is such a fixed reality within how God has structured creation that none of us should expect it to be overturned as, “God is not mocked,” (Gal. 6:7).

I am heavily convicted this week as I see certain sins in my life and recognize that patterns formed in my teens and habits that followed in my 20’s were seeds I was planting. Thankfully, by God’s grace, I see the fruit of sowing to the Spirit as well (Gal. 6:8), but it is sobering to consider that the same principle is in play today and I am sowing into whatever future the Lord has determined for me.

What about you? What do you see as you survey the crops you planted in the past or the “path you paved”? What fruit has grown up out of the ground as a result?

The wonderful news for those of us who are in Christ is that today, by God’s grace and Spirit, we can sow good seed. We can learn from Israel knowing we have similar tendencies and we can “Sow for [ourselves] righteousness,” and “reap steadfast love,” (Hos. 10:12). We can, by God’s grace and Spirit, “sow to the Spirit,” so that we might “from the Spirit reap eternal life,” (Gal. 6:8).

Together, even today, let’s:

  • Pursue a pattern of life that truly backs up our claim to know and love God (Hos. 8:2; 1 Jn. 2:3-4);
  • Consider that what we do, think, say, etc. today (sow) will produce a harvest that we will reap later (Hos. 8:7; Gal. 6:7-8);
  • Consider how much sweeter it is to reap from the seeds of loving God, obeying Him, and following His Word than the alternative.

God’s cause and effect principle is designed for our good!