Due Season by: Rev. Teja Smith

Due Season

Galatians 6:7-9

Triumph Baptist Church

1648 W. Hunting Park Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19140

September 21, 2020

Rev. Teja Smith

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)

I woke up this morning and before even removing the covers, I could feel the chill in the air. I pulled the covers up a little higher, until they were right under my eyes, and thought to myself, “Isn’t it still summer?” So, I asked. “Hey Siri? When is the last day of summer?” Her response made me take pause. She cleverly responded, “Summer has come and gone. It started June 20, 2020 and today is the last day.”

I began to ponder again how just like that, one season is ending, and another beginning. It made me think about how our great God created the sun, stars, and moon, to not only separate day from night, but to mark the change of seasons.

Genesis 1:14, “Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.’” (NLT)

Scriptures about seasons began to flood my mind. I snatched back the covers, and in one fluid motion, slipped my feet into my slippers and wrapped myself in my robe to keep my body heat from escaping. Interesting, I thought, how one season hasn’t even officially ended yet, and it already feels like the next one.

God began to speak some spiritual truths to me, using the natural illustration of the changing seasons, and I’d like to share them with you.

Seasons always change. My momma used to say, “This too shall pass.” I was an adult before I realized the significance and calming wisdom in that statement. She simply meant, that no matter how painful it is, how upset it has made you, or how many tears you’ve cried, your situation won’t last always. This too shall pass. For me personally, that’s how I’m handling this pandemic. Being the quintessential extrovert that I am has made this no-gatherings, social-distancing, face-mask-wearing, life-altering pandemic extremely hard for me. Perhaps it is difficult for you too. Or, maybe your season has brought a different kind of pain and isolation. Whatever the case may be, whatever your season may entail, I’m here to encourage you today that seasons change. This too shall pass. One thing that truly encouraged me when I woke up on this brisk morning is that summer had come and gone. Just like that. Without me watching the calendar or clock, I looked up and it was gone. Child of God, I know it has been hard. I know silent, hot tears have streamed down your face, but I promise you, as surely as seasons in the natural realm change, so do seasons in the spirit. Hold on. One day soon you will look up and the season will have changed.

Sometimes the new feels like the old. That works the opposite way too. Sometimes you’ll be in the new season, but the “residue” of the old will continue to linger. Why is this important? Like the chill that’s in the air today, God will often give us clear indicators that the changing of seasons is upon us. This is to help us prepare for what’s coming. While the temperature was unseasonably cool today, it will be warm again in just a few days. The plunging temperatures aren’t permanent yet. But, the chill today reminds me to get my fall clothes out, and get ready to pack up the summer ones. Sometimes God gives a glimpse to say, “get ready.” Have you been praying for the “next” season of your life? And, will you be ready if the new season begins tomorrow?

The full impact of your new season will be felt progressively. Sure, today may be the last day of summer, but there is still a forecasted high of 80 degrees later on this week. The chill in the air today carries the promise of Autumn, but it’ll weeks before the temperatures are consistently cool every day. Have you considered the possibility that you are already in your new season? You may very well already be in the beginnings of your “due” season. Don’t let the inconsistency that comes with the change-over cause you to doubt what God has said. Everything that He has promised will come. It will just come little by little, for your own good. Deuteronomy 7:22-23, “The LORD your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you. 23 But the LORD your God will hand them over to you. He will throw them into complete confusion until they are destroyed.” (NLT)

God is predictable. His Word is true. It will always be what He says it will be. Summer heat can be oppressive and sweltering. Some years we experience heat wave after heat wave. But, as surely as summer brings the heat, it is only a matter of time before fall and winter bring the cold. Genesis 8:22, “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” (NLT) May I paraphrase? That verse is saying that as long as the earth remains, seasons will change. Your trouble won’t last always. Your trouble can’t last always. I don’t know the expiration date of your season, but I know it has one. Your weeping may endure all night, but morning has been ordained to follow night, and your joy will come in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) God is predictable because His Word cannot return to Him void. It will always accomplish what He sent it out to accomplish and it will prosper everywhere He sends it. (Isaiah 55:10-11) So, if you simply read His Word and take Him at His Word, you will surely see the fulfillment of that thing which was told to you by Him.

Due season is coming. Oh, how I wish I had a date for you. Summer started June 20, 2020. Autumn starts tomorrow, September 22, 2020. I wish I could tell you when your “due” season will begin. I wish I knew for myself when my “due” season would begin. But alas, the just shall live by faith. Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJV) I don’t know when, but I can encourage you with a certainty. That certainty is this … due season is coming. Don’t be deceived, God is never mocked. A person will always reap what they have sown. So, I just stopped by on this chilly summer day to encourage you not to grow weary in doing the right and righteous thing. Don’t grow weary in standing on the promises of God. I don’t care what it looks like. I don’t care how humid and sweltering your days have been. I know you’ve cried many tears. But, did you know that God stores them all in a bottle? (Psalm 56:8) Did you know that those who cry now will laugh later? (Luke 6:21) Did you know that God is not unjust? He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and shown your love for Him the way you have cared for others. (Hebrews 6:10) So, I want you to hold on, beloved. Seasons change, and due season is coming.