How Does Your Garden Grow?

Psalm 97

I’m a city boy. I know very little about farming. But I do know this: when you plant a seed, don’t expect it to sprout right away. That boy named Jack may have grown a beanstalk overnight, but those were magic seeds he planted. When you and I plant seeds we have to wait a while to see any results.

The reason I mention the growth rate of plants is because of what we read in Psalm 97. “Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). At least that’s how some English translations read. In Hebrew the same verse begins, “Light is sown for the righteous….” So while the Psalm celebrates the reign of God and the vindication of the faithful, in verse 11 we get an idea of how God’s justice will effect humanity. The light of God will dawn or be sown for the righteous, which tells me that God’s people are not necessarily going to see results quickly.

Planting and growing crops are activities not know for their swiftness. You do not farm in a hurry. It is the sort of work that requires diligence and patience. Much of the same can be said about faithful living. We who profess faith in God through Jesus Christ must live our lives with diligence and patience because the reign of God does not come quickly, does not reach its fullest expression in a hurry, and it certainly does not work on our schedules. But the growth is certain for this is what God does, and in God’s time all will come to fruition.

“The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (v. 1), says the psalmist. We may add our voices to the chorus of praise because we know that the Lord rules, and that the reign of God is drawing ever nearer. It may not be moving as quickly as we’d like, but it is certain. And certainty is a very rare crop indeed.

Prayer: Lord of dawn and God of growth, give us the patience we need to live as your people, faithfully awaiting the arrival of your reign in its fullness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.