In Due Season

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Seeds can remain dormant for years until conditions are right for growth. For example, while excavating the palace of Herod the Great, archaeologists at Masada found seeds that had hibernated for two thousand years. In 2005, one of the seeds—a Judean date palm—was planted, and it germinated. It’s the creative genius of God that designed this latent potential into such a small seed.

As we go through life, we’re to sow the seeds of the gospel, but it may take a while for them to germinate. William Carey was seven years in India before seeing his first convert. It took seven years in Burma before Adoniram Judson saw his first conversion. Robert Morrison toiled for seven years before the first Chinese national was brought to Christ. Robert Moffat waited seven years to see evidence of the moving of the Holy Spirit on his mission field in Africa.

It might take seven years or seventy—but there’s power in the gospel seed, and our job is to plant. So don’t lose heart. “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6).

How rich his reward who has waited patiently till the seed should spring and grow up!

A. J. GORDON