As I have done, so has God requited me

Sowing and Reaping

Judges 1:1-7

In this passage is yet another example of the principle of sowing and reaping. The king, Adonibezek sowed and ending up reaping the same. Even this ungodly king knew that it was the Lord God that requited (rewarded or repaid) him. This biblical principle is one of the most over looked in a Christian’s life. We all disregard the things we sow on a daily basis, then cry out to God “why?” when we reap the same. We also neglect to sow good things and thereby fail to reap the same.

1. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked:”
   1. [Deu.32:35] God always evens the score
   2. [Isa.59:18] God repays according to our deeds
   3. [Rev.19:11] He returns being called “faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge” What a blessing to have God in charge of reaping, he is faithful, true, and righteous.
   4. So don’t deceive yourself, you will reap what you sow, Adonibezek did.

2. “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
   1. [Lev.24:17-22] God expects us to judge the same way, eye for eye…
   2. [Luke 6:31] Wouldn’t it make sense to sow what you would like to reap?
   3. [Prov.15:1] the principle at work, which way do you want it?
   4. [Eph.6:1-3] It may take some time to reap, but you will
   5. Obedient Child Recovers Better, an illustration by J. Adam Clark

“Years ago a famous children’s specialist said to me: “When it comes to a serious illness, the child who has been taught to obey stands four times the chance of recovery that the spoiled and undisciplined child does.” Those words made a lasting impression upon me. Up to that time I had been taught that one of the Ten Commandments was for children to obey their parents. Never had it entered my mind that a question of obedience might mean the saving or losing of a child’s life.”

1. [2 Cor.9:6] The amount you reap, depends on the amount you sow
2. This principle is very similar to a savings account, making regular deposits allow for there to be a balance to draw off of when there is a need.
3. Sometimes you must sow stuff you don’t like, like exercise, so you can reap good health
4. You can also be building up a balance of bad stuff that you will reap

So, what’s in your bag of seed? What are you sowing? Are you planning to reap a good harvest or, are you hoping for a crop failure?