Seed Time and Harvest (Part 2)

As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.

Genesis 8:22

The seed principle is the principle of preparation.

Proverbs 6:6–11 teaches us this truth. 

Let’s start by saying that our lives are controlled by the seeds we sow. The sown seed determines the harvest. 

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
⁷ It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6: 6-8)

Our supporting scripture in Proverbs 6:6–8, points us to the ants, tiny creatures who prepare in summer so that they can reap in winter. Their harvest is possible because they invested in preparation.

In contrast, the succeeding passage (Proverbs 6: 9 -11) describes the lazy man. By sowing the seed of laziness, through slumber and excessive sleep, he reaps the harvest of poverty.

⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
    When will you get up from your sleep?
¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.

This shows us a powerful truth: Manifestation is the harvest of preparation, and preparation itself is the seed of manifestation.

Everyone who desires the harvest of a glorious future needs to sow the seed of preparation. 

There is a season of our lives that is for preparation. 

We see this clearly in the life of David. His public manifestation as an anointed king was rooted in his private preparation as a shepherd boy. During that season of preparation, he learned to conquer the lion and the bear. He was throughly trained. When Goliath appeared, David was not intimidated, the champion in him arose, his preparation had forged him for that very moment. Victory was guaranteed because he had sown the right seeds.

As we reflect further, it’s important to note that the seed principle almost supersedes prophecy. No one can rise above the level of their preparation, no matter how great the prophecy spoken over their lives. Prophecies do not fulfill themselves, they must be prayed into reality and planned into fulfillment.

Consider Samson: he had a mighty prophecy over his life, yet he failed because he lacked the seed of discipline and preparation.

Scripture warns: “So shall your poverty come…” (Proverbs 6:11). Poverty is a harvest. Likewise, wealth and abundance are also harvests. The harvest you experience depends on the seed you sow. The lazy man reaps poverty (Proverbs 6:9–10), but the diligent man reaps wealth and honor (Proverbs 22:29).

Even in Egypt, preparation preserved a nation. Joseph’s wisdom in storing grain during the years of plenty saved them during the years of famine. Preparation was the seed that secured their survival (harvest).

So I ask you today:

• How prepared are you for your future?
• What seeds are you sowing in this season?

The Lord bless you.

Philip Oyedele