One of the most common illustrations used in both the Old and New Testament is that of the farmer sowing his seed. Many Scriptures describe various seasons that every farmer takes in stride as he awaits his pay-day season of harvest. The first mention of the process is in Genesis 8:22. It reads While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
While the seed is in the soil, the farmer may have to endure seasons of drought, frost, or pestilence. He also has to exercise patience and consistency as he waters seed as it grows. Our lives reflect the same process. We all go through various seasons – some we must endure with patience, and others we can celebrate with gladness.
The Blessed Man Has a Season
No one is exempt from the seasons of life; even the blessed man has a particular time when he is most fruitful. Psalm 1:1-3 tells us Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
A season doesn't last forever; it has a beginning, middle, and an end. Every country, family, and individual goes through seasons, so don't allow challenging times to throw you off course. Stick with the Word whether you're in a season of planting, waiting or harvesting. Even if you are going through a season of testing, don’t give up on your seed. Every season – even the most difficult - shall pass. Things will soon turn for your good.
Jesus’ Season of Testing
Jesus wasn’t exempt either. He had what farmers might call a drought season in His time of testing in the wilderness. We read an account of it in Luke’s fourth chapter. Notice how Jesus responded to the devil – He used the Word of God.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered (Luke 4:1-2).
First, the devil tested Jesus with the appetite of the flesh. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (Luke 4:3-4).
Next, the devil tested Jesus with power. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
The devil then used one of his most popular tactics, pride, on Jesus. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Luke 4:7-8).
Last, the devil questioned Jesus’ identity. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (Luke 4:9-12).
Finally, Jesus’ season of testing came to an end, as recorded in Luke 4:13: And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Your Season of Testing
Although Jesus went through trying times in the wilderness and on His way to the cross, He never feared, and neither should you. To successfully navigate difficult seasons, you must resist fear. Satan is empowered by fear, and the root of all fears is the fear of death. The writer of Hebrews put it this way: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Fear binds you, but faith liberates you. Fear opens the door to the devil in the same way faith opens the door to God.
Pastor James told us how to handle ourselves during times of testing. James 1:2-4 says you should count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
You can rejoice in your season of testing because you know it will eventually end, and you will come out stronger, wiser, and more blessed. Remember that God isn’t the One testing you; Satan is. Satan is a defeated foe. When he tells you you’ll never experience harvest on the seed you’ve sown, he’s lying. When he says a sickness or disease will take you out, he’s lying. When he says you’ll never succeed, he’s lying. When he says your home will never be happy, he’s lying. So, just laugh. Tell him what the Word says, and know that your season of testing is about to end.
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