Harvest Moon

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:10 NASB95

Upon arriving in Wisconsin, my mind instantly began to prepare my body for the cold that I know will soon come galloping upon the north wind. My family already finds itself gathering warmer shoes, gloves, and “thermonuclear coats” (as my wife calls them). We are also learning how to prepare our home and our cars for the season to come.

While I’m still trying to convince myself that winter should be embraced, there have also been some pleasant surprises along the way. For instance, my family has enjoyed the many fresh vegetables that are readily available along the roadsides in the fall. As I looked at the harvest moon the other night, I finally understood why it is given that name. The term, “harvest moon” just never made much sense in the south.

In Texas, the vegetable harvest is finished in June. By July, the garden has waved the white flag of surrender to the 110-degree heat. The only sweet corn, tomatoes, squash and such are either in the grocery store freezer; or they’re wilting in the produce department after hitchhiking with a truck driver across the country.

One of our church members asked me this past Sunday, “Pastor, where is the harvest?” I reminded this person that Jesus didn’t ask us to pray for the harvest. Instead, He told us to pray for laborers in the field (Matthew 9:37-38). The Bible says that the harvest is God’s responsibility. Our responsibility is righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Righteousness is more than just sitting around being right—self-righteousness is unrighteousness wearing the clothes of religious pride. True righteousness is doing right. It is thinking right. It is loving and living right. True righteousness can only come from Christ, because it cannot come from self.

With God, there is always a “harvest moon.” He promises to “increase the harvest of your righteousness.” Remember Matthew 6:33? Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Yes, we should pray for the lost. Sharing the Gospel through our words and actions is an absolute must. But remember, the harvest is brought in from the field when those without Christ see what it means to be changed by Christ.

Love,
Pastor Larry