Bountiful Harvests: The Certain Destiny of the Righteous
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God ~ Psalm 92:12-13.
Introduction:
Every exploit in life is a product of personal knowledge. Man was created and ordained to bear fruits (Genesis 1:28; John 15:16). Indeed, it’s essentially abnormal not to produce (Psalm 92:12-13).
In simple terms, destiny speaks to God's ordained purpose for your life. It is your appointed present and ordained future, predetermined by God in His divine will from the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:11).
God fashioned our destinies before we were born. He sculpted us into being, and He always wishes to bring our future into existence (Psalms 139:16). Flourishing unto bountiful harvests is the sacred destiny of the righteous.
To flourish means to grow well, do well, blossom luxuriantly and tend to bumper harvests. It also implies being in a period of highest productivity, excellence or influence.
Now, reflecting on this holy simile deployed in Psalm 92, the palm tree is constantly green, flourishing, fruitful and growing even when pressed down. The cedar also spreads itself wide, and grows very tall and strong.
We note, therefore, that the growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, relevance, beauty and fruitfulness of both trees set forth the life, character and destiny of the righteous. Indeed, it’s in our starry destinies to flourish like the palm tree (Psalm 92:12)!
Meanwhile, there are different seasons in human experiences. There are seasons when we enjoy the mountaintop experiences, and everything seems to be going very well. There are also times when we feel stuck in the valley, and God’s blessings seem hard to find.
Nevertheless, whatever you are experiencing presently, the good news is: your season of bountiful harvests has indeed come. It’s the time for God to return us to His glory days, the days of His Power in the Holy Ghost (Amos 9:13; Leviticus 26:3-5).
God has declared His glory among us, and it’s time for His wonders to be seen in our lives (Psalms 96:3). It’s time for us to start harvesting signs and wonders as it was in the days of old, no matter what the enemy throws at us (Acts 5:14-16).
Wisely Working Out Your Colourful Destiny!
Most certainly, your destiny is very colourful, but you have to work it out with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). No matter who assists you, recognizing and maximizing your own destiny under God are still your personal responsibilities.
In respect of supernatural harvests, your righteousness — that is, your right-standing with God — is the primary force that enhances your fruitfulness (Psalm 1:1-3).
Walking in God’s statutes provokes our due season, and enhances our yields. Keeping and doing the Lord’s commandments make us commanders in the fields of bountiful harvests (Leviticus 26:3-5).
The fortune and the fruitfulness of a physical tree are easily enhanced when it stands straight, in the light and on good ground with ample breathing space. This is equally true for spiritual matters.
When we stand right with God, we enjoy the radiance of His Sun of Righteousness and the light, the strength and the energy of His Spirit will enhance our fruit-bearing capabilities. Thereafter, we shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (Malachi 4:2).
Meanwhile, we also need to engage the sickles of faith to work positively on our brilliant destiny of bountiful harvests (Joel 3:13-14).
It takes a robust faith in God and a determined pursuit in the right direction to access the good things that are destined for the believer; otherwise, he might end up the loser he’s becoming, or remain the failure he has always been.
A man brought his son, who was demon possessed and unable to speak, to Jesus to be healed. Jesus said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). The man replied, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief”.
Thereafter, Jesus “rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him”(v25). Of course, the boy became whole, and found his expressions again!
Real breakthroughs in life are products of bold and obedient faith in God. Never sit back in timidity, doubt and passivity! Don’t let your life drift with the wind anymore. Take action, release your faith, speak out and boldly confront the drought in your life (Matthew 17:20).
As you demonstrate your faith in God, also smile at your future because your future is smiling at you through the unfailing promises of God. Be confident that He’s constantly thinking about you to favour you and to excite your bountiful harvests (Jeremiah 29:11).
God still keeps His own side of the covenant deal (Genesis 8:22). Be planted in His house, and be eager to sow precious sacrificial seeds in order to produce your bountiful harvests. Be determined also to diversify your supernatural investments.
There are different kinds of supernatural investments: spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, material and financial. There’s nothing given to God that’s wasted, and there’s nothing invested in His kingdom that doesn’t attract dividends.
Albeit, never invest grudgingly or of necessity, but cheerfully (2Corinthians 9:7). In God’s kingdom, it takes cheerfulness to invest acceptably, and to access our bountiful harvests (Psalm 67:5-7).
More importantly, the power for real supernatural harvests is exclusively preserved for those who are saved — the saints of God (Psalms 35:27). And, you too can be saved today by repenting of your sins, believing the gospel and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour (Mark 1:15).
Choose righteousness. Show up. Invest your goodly seeds without ceasing. Put in the sickles of faith and work. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide and determine to be.
No matter your history, your destiny is still what you choose today. Our choices have dramatic consequences and, in particular, lasting impacts on our destinies (James 1:17)! It’s our choices, and not blind chance, that determine our destinies.
However, keep in mind that we all occasionally dance to the tune of mystery! This is because, in reality, life is not only about the choices we make, but also a product of the undercurrents of divine orchestrations.
Sometimes our dreams that become loudly celebrated are the ones we didn’t labour much to catch (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Yes, occasionally, the strong gusting “east wind” that makes a way for our miraculous escape from the furies of our enemies comes when it’s least expected (Exodus 14:21).
Choose God: don’t give up and don’t be discouraged! Your bounteous harvests are still here!! You’re more that a conqueror, and you have a long history of victory, riches and noble harvests imputed to your account in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Friends and brethren, this is the period of your highest import so far in your journey of destiny (Zechariah 10:1-2). Make that little extra sacrifice. Give that little improved seed of faith, and please, continue to believe the Lord (Hosea 6:3).
Dig again, you’ll find water. Go again, seven times, you’ll see the cloud with a mean span that will eventually produce your deluge of blessings. You will flourish and blossom luxuriantly. Even your harvest of souls shall be bounteous, and your sources of income shall never run dry. You won’t miss it, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
____________________
Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Connect with Bishop Akinola via these channels:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bishopakinola
SMS/WhatsApp: +234 802 318 4987
