“Harvest”

And He said, “Amos, what do you see?”
So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.”
Then the Lord said to me:
“The end has come upon My people Israel;
I will not pass by them anymore. (Amos 8.2)

Are you prepared for the harvest?

Amos the prophet had received a new vision from the Lord. Israel was pictured as a basket of summer fruit. The crop was ready to be harvested. Israel had reached the end of maturity. They had been unjust for long enough (Amos 8.4). They had ritualistically practiced religion but not worshiped God. Israel had refused God’s correction (Amos 4.4-13). God’s patience would come to an end. The fruit of Israel would be rejected, and the harvest would end in destruction (Amos 9.1-10).

There is an end point for the growth of a plant or vegetable. Then the harvest comes. There is no reversing the process of growth. The fully grown produce will either be accepted or rejected at harvest. God speaks of harvest in both good and bad ways. Jesus spoke of the great need for workers to bring in the good harvest. Many people were ready to hear the good news of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9.37-38). Those who sow to the Spirit will reap everlasting life. Those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption (Galatians 6.8). It is appointed once for every person to die, and then comes the judgement (Hebrews 9.27). The fruit will be ready for harvest one day. Your life will either be accepted or rejected.

Are you prepared for the harvest? All people will stand before the Lord one day. Are you building your life upon Christ or yourself? A person will reap what they sow (Galatians 6.7). God knows your heart, and He knows your deeds (Hebrews 4.13). Death or the return of the Lord could come at any moment (James 4.13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5.2). Will you be ready?

God, thank You for warning me of the judgement to come. Thank You for salvation through Your Son. Shape me and continually draw my heart towards repentance. Give me divine perspective as I plant and water in Your field. Thank You that those in Christ do not have to fear the harvest. Amen.

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Harvest | Amos 8.2
Weekly Bible Devotional

Written and Produced by:
Reverend David Lyda
Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church
Edgefield, SC

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.