"TIME TO SEEK THE LORD"
Intro: In chapter 6 it tells of that remnant of God's people who will say, "Come let us return unto the Lord". This is a part of God's response to them.
I. THE REASON FOR THEIR CALAMITY vs 13.
A. They had ploughed wickedness, reaped iniquity.
1. That natural law of sowing & reaping.
a. It applies in our lives as well botany.
b. If I sow to my flesh.
c. They were accused of sowing in the wind & reaping the whirlwind.
2. Israel had ploughed wickedness.
a. They had turned from the living God to idols.
b. They were seeking the works of their own hands & devises to deliver.
c. The result was failure, captivity.
d. They became fruitless vs. 1.
1. It is God's intent & purpose that we bear fruit.
3. Now when the time for harvest came they reaped wickedness.
a. How could it be otherwise?
II. HERE WE HEAR GOD'S WORD TO A DESPERATE PEOPLE FACING A GREAT HARVEST OF INIQUITY.
A. Sow to yourselves in righteousness.
1. The same natural laws can work to your benefit.
a. "If we sow to the Spirit of the Spirit we shall reap life everlasting."
2. If we sow righteousness we shall reap mercy.
a. God is so merciful.
b. You don't have to reap the results of all your evil sowings.
B. Break up your fallow ground.
1. Take a step of faith & prepare for God to work in your life.
2. There is a certain danger in passiveness.
a. "Well if God wants to He can."
1. I lie upon my bed asking God to guide me.
2. Get up & get dressed expect God to lead.
b. Paul said to Timothy "Study to show thyself approved.
c. There is nothing unspiritual about preparation.
1. Too many like Ahimaaz are running without a message.
III. "IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD."
A. The harvest is dependent upon Him.
1. Having done my part of breaking the fallow ground and sowing righteousness.
2. I must now seek Him for the harvest.
B. Look what men seek instead of the Lord.
1. Seek a new program to add new members.
2. Seek the horoscope for guidance.
3. Seek success, pleasure, education to fill void.
C. "IT IS TIME."
1. We need to wake up to the realization that only the Lord can help.
D. How long should we seek Him?
1. "Till He comes."
2. I have seen many who if God does not respond within 5 minutes they are ready to seek something else.
E. The result of seeking the Lord "Till He comes and rains righteousness upon you."
1. God's beautiful rain soaking, drenching us with joy.
2. Showers of blessing & goodness until there is a flood of love.
The non-Christian wonders:
3. Don't you have enough sense to get in out of the rain?
a. You're so happy its disgusting.
Let us seek the Lord till He comes.