The Holy Spirit told other leaders in the body of Christ and me that this would be the year of abundant harvest. When you consider the meaning of the two words, abundant and harvest, you can see what the Lord has in store down the road for you in the next twelve months!
Definition of terms
God is not the Lord of not enough or just enough. He is the God of abundance. Jesus said, “ I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly . ” (John 10:10) The 1828 edition of Webster’s dictionary of the English language defines abundant as plentiful, great quantity, fully, sufficient, abounding, and overflowing. The same source defines harvest as the season of reaping and gathering; the product of labor; the fruit of fruits, and the proper season for business. The Holy Spirit is telling us that there will be a manifestation this year in both the spiritual and physical realm. The physical realm includes healing as well as financial prosperity.
God is Abundant
Abundance is part of God’s character. Exodus 32 records that the children of Israel created a golden calf to worship while Moses was on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. Moses, in his anger, broke the stone tablets on which the Lord had inscribed His laws. However, Moses also interceded on their behalf, and they were spared as a nation, but the people who sinned were held accountable. Later, God summoned Moses back to Mount Sinai with two stone tablets. God reissued the 10 Commandments, and at the same time, He revealed more of Himself to His prophet and to us. And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord . And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth… (Exodus 34:5-6) God is abundantly good, and His goodness opens the door for abundance in our lives through the eternal law of seed, time, and harvest.
Abundant Seed=Abundant Harvest
Harvest is the product of labor. It is the proper season for business, and it is the fruit of planting seed. It is the season of reaping what you have sown. God established the system for harvest in the first chapter of Genesis when He gave Adam every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 1:29) In Genesis 8:22, God reaffirmed the law of seed, time, and harvest as one that would be in effect as long as people populate this planet. He said While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)
Paul's letter to the Galatians highlights the importance of not returning to the bondage of the Law but remaining free in Christ. (Galatians 5:1) The law of seed, time, and harvest, however, has not passed away in the New Covenant! Paul wrote, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:7-9)
Did you notice the word whatsoever? Whatsoever—in the spiritual, physical, relationship or financial realm—you sow, you will reap! Paul used the Greek word zoe to describe the life everlasting you would reap when you sow to the Spirit. Zoe means life like God has it. So, let's think about this: when we sow to the Spirit by doing God's Word and following the Holy Ghost, when we give to kingdom purposes, and when we walk in love, we will reap life as God has it! God is not sick. God is not broke. God is not depressed. God is not fearful. God is not jealous. God is not lonely! God is abundance, and your abundant harvest is coming this year. Don't forget, however, that harvest comes at different times for different crops.
Be Patient
Hebrews 6:12 reminds us that seeds take time to take root, develop, and blossom into harvestable fruit. It reads That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. If you pick the fruit it too early, it won’t be as plenteous or as sweet. To claim your abundant harvest, you will need to exercise patience.
Paul told the Galatians to not be weary in doing what they knew to do, but their due season would come. Due season in Greek is idios; it literally means in your own. Everyone plants at different times and tends to his or her seed in various ways. Your due season won't be the exact same as another's, but it is coming! Holy Spirit knows where your harvest is and when it is coming in. Seek Him. Pray in the Spirit and follow His direction.
Most importantly, don’t give up! Keep sowing the Word of God in your heart. Continue giving generously; your harvest is coming, and it’s coming big time this year!