“The kingdom of God is like a man which plants seed…”

In the above statement made by Jesus in Mark 4:26, is one of the most profound truths concerning how God's Kingdom works in our lives. In Isaiah 55:10-11 God said that, in the same way the rain accomplishes its purpose in the earth by watering the plants and thereby causing them to grow and bear fruit so also His word will accomplish its purpose. In other words, whatever God speaks will be fulfilled!

Lets look at an example of this in scripture. In Genesis 12 God spoke a word to Abraham that through his offspring He would bless “all the families of the earth.” Now we know what God meant of course, for the “salvation that has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11) is “from the Jews” (John 4:22) - who are Abraham's offspring (John 8:33,37). We can see in this story one of many examples throughout the Bible of how God's word is “like seed” which will not fail to accomplish its purpose.

Regardless of how many years it takes, or how much opposition it encounters, God's Word is designed to bring forth fruit in the form of whatever it says or promises. The reason this is so important to us is because His kingdom is still working this way. In Luke 8: 11 Jesus said,

“The seed is the word of God.”

And in Genesis 8:22, God said,

“As long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest shall not cease.”

That means that as long as this earth is still here, the Word of God will continue to be “seed” that must be planted and grow in order to bring forth fruit in our lives.

And what is our part in this grand design? We (more specifically, our hearts) are the “soil” into which the seed of God's word is sown! (Luke 8:8, 11,15)

Ultimately it is our responsibility to be the type of soil that will bring forth an abundant crop of His seed in our hearts! This is why the parable of the sower (found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8) is so important to us. We are, at all times, one of the types of soils described by Jesus in the parable – which one we are, is up to us!

Lord, please help us to be the “good soil” that will bring forth an abundant harvest of Your word and promises in our lives, to the end that You might be Glorified! (John 15:8)