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The parable of the seed:
v. 26. And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground,
v. 27. and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
v. 28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
v. 29. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle because the harvest is come.
Here is another parable, addressed especially to the disciples, and containing an important lesson for them in their future work. If a farmer sows good seed into his fields, all his worrying about the crop will avail him nothing. He will tend to his other work and will follow his usual mode of living: he will go to rest in the evening and get up in the morning. He knows that it rests with God to give the increase. And this is as it should be. For it is God's promise that seed-time and harvest shall not cease. Gen_8:22. By the course of nature which God has ordered the seed sprouts, the blade appears, the ear develops, the grain matures. And thus it is in spiritual matters. When a pastor has preached the Word, publicly and from house to house, he has done that work for which he has been called. Worrying about results is as foolish as it is useless. The power of God is in the Word, and it rests with Him to bless the proclamation of the Gospel according to His promise that His Word will not return to Him void, Isa_55:10-11. God must give the increase, 1Co_3:6-7. Too many pastors, especially young pastors, as it has been put somewhat quaintly, want to turn around and go into the field with the reaper after they have just come out with the drill. When God's time has come, then the harvest may be gathered; He will send His scythe and bring in the ripe sheaves.